List of highest-paid players in each of Europe's top five leagues from 1999 resurfaces and is fascinating

A list of the highest-paid footballers in Europe in 1999 has emerged on social media – and fans are shocked.

Cast your mind back to 1999, Manchester United fans, in particular, will look back on the year with fondness as the Red Devils captured a historic treble by winning the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League – something that wasn’t replicated until Manchester City did it in 2023.

Since then, the average wage of footballers in Europe’s top five leagues – Ligue 1, Bundesliga, Premier League, Serie A, La Liga – have increased significantly, with Erling Haaland reportedly earning £537,750 per week.

But what were the best footballers earning back in 1999?

Well, a graphic emerged on Reddit purportedly detailing players’ wages from the year.

Surprisingly, the highest-paid Premier League player – Alan Shearer on £28,000 per week – earned over 50% less than Serie A and Europe's highest-paid player - Alessandro Del Piero on £69,230 per week.

Manchester United trio David Beckham, Roy Keane, and Ryan Giggs earned £17,500.

A list of the supposed highest-paid footballers in Europe in 1999 (Credit:ClassicSoccer/Reddit)

The highest-paid English player on the list was Steve McManaman, who played for Real Madrid at the time and pocketed a purported £65,384 per week.

Fans were quick to give their thoughts about the list on social media.

One said: "Insane that Duncan Ferguson was on more than Vieira, Petit, Beckham, Keane and Giggs. The first two had won a double with Arsenal and the World Cup. The second three all won the treble with United."

A second added: "1990s Liverpool McManaman was a world class player. Which is why Real Madrid were willing to pay him such high wages to poach him away from Liverpool on a bosman."

Another commented: "Serie A was the clear best league in the world from the 90s until the early 00s when money starting drying out, they started losing stars like Zidane/R9 to LaLiga."

Highest earners in Europe’s top five leagues in 1999

1) Alessandro Del Piero – Juventus - £69,230

2) Steven McManaman – Real Madrid - £65,384

3) Patrick Kluivert – Barcelona - £57,692

4) Christian Viera & Nicolas Anelka – Inter & Real Madrid - £55,769

5) Ronaldo Nazario – Inter - £50,000