Ronaldo is the world’s highest-paid footballer, with an astronomical gap between him and Messi.

According to the sports economics platform Sportseconomics.ir, citing Tasnim, Cristiano Ronaldo, the Saudi Arabian club Al-Nasr’s striker, will also be the world’s highest-paid footballer in the 2026-27 season. Forbes magazine estimates that the Portuguese star’s total earnings will reach $300 million, more than double the projected income of his long-time rival, Lionel Messi.

In its latest list of the world’s highest-paid footballers, Forbes estimated Ronaldo’s earnings at $300 million. Of this amount, around $250 million comes from his contract and earnings at Al-Nasr, while another $50 million is derived from business activities, advertising contracts, and other sources of income outside football.

Lionel Messi, the Inter Miami striker, ranks second with an estimated income of $145 million. The Argentine superstar’s projected earnings include $70 million from football activities and $75 million from advertising contracts and business ventures. This means the annual income difference between the two stars is $155 million, a gap that demonstrates Ronaldo’s continued exceptional status in terms of earnings.

Kylian Mbappé, Real Madrid’s striker, ranks third with earnings of $100 million. Erling Haaland, Manchester City’s striker, is fourth with $85 million, and Vinícius Júnior, another Real Madrid star, ranks fifth with an estimated income of $76 million.

List of the world’s 10 highest-paid footballers

According to Forbes’ estimates, the list of the 10 highest-paid football players in the 2026-27 season is as follows. The figures in parentheses indicate income from football and income outside the field, respectively:

1. Cristiano Ronaldo, Al-Nasr: $300 million; $250 million from football and $50 million from other activities

2. Lionel Messi, Inter Miami: $145 million; $70 million from football and $75 million from other activities

3. Kylian Mbappé, Real Madrid: $100 million; $70 million from football and $30 million from other activities

4. Erling Haaland, Manchester City: $85 million; $60 million from football and $25 million from other activities

5. Vinícius Júnior, Real Madrid: $76 million; $48 million from football and $28 million from other activities

6. Lamine Yamal, Barcelona: $55 million; $35 million from football and $20 million from other activities

7. Sadio Mané, Al-Nasr: $54 million; $50 million from football and $4 million from other activities

8. Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid: $45 million; $29 million from football and $16 million from other activities

9. Harry Kane, Bayern Munich: $42 million; $29 million from football and $13 million from other activities

10. Mohamed Salah, Trabzonspor: $40 million; $20 million from football and $20 million from other activities

Generational change on the pitch, continuity of dominance in earnings

One notable feature of this list is the presence of Lamine Yamal in sixth place. The young Barcelona star, with an estimated income of $55 million, is alongside players who have been at the highest level of world football for years. His income consists of football contract and business activities—a combination that highlights the growing importance of young players’ personal brand power.

On the other hand, Mohamed Salah’s presence in tenth place is also noteworthy. The Egyptian striker, who joined Trabzonspor in Turkey after the end of his time at Liverpool, is estimated to earn a total of $40 million, according to Forbes. Half of this amount is related to football income, and the other half to his business and advertising activities.

This year’s list includes four LaLiga representatives: Mbappé, Vinícius, and Bellingham from Real Madrid, and Yamal from Barcelona. In contrast, Haaland is the only English Premier League player in the top 10. Salah’s presence at Trabzonspor also shows that the earnings of big stars are not necessarily limited to playing in one of Europe’s most popular leagues.

How were the earnings calculated?

In compiling this ranking, Forbes took into account players’ base salaries, bonuses, and some image rights payments made by clubs in the football earnings section. Income outside the field also includes advertising contracts, royalties, event appearances, merchandise sales, and proceeds from some business activities. These estimates are calculated before taxes and agent fees are deducted and do not include player transfer amounts.

Ronaldo, now 41, became the first active athlete this year to have a total career income before taxes and fees exceed $2 billion. He continues to play football at Al-Nasr, although his future with the Portuguese national team is uncertain.

The renowned striker was temporarily banned from the national team after a dispute with Fernando Santos, the coach of the Portuguese national football team, and left the team camp before a match against Denmark. His disciplinary case is underway at the Portuguese Football Federation. However, this did not affect his position in the global football market: Ronaldo still ranks first in the list of highest-paid players by a significant margin.

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