The highest paid players in world football in 2026/27

There’s more money than ever in football, and the following stars from the English, Spanish and German top-flights, to the Saudi Pro League, are raking in the sport’s largest paycheques.

Cristiano Ronaldo remains the highest-paid player in world football, taking home a gross total pay of over £200million annually with Al Nassr.

The Portuguese icon reportedly nets £214,546,335 yearly, with a weekly salary of £3,422,913. His Real Madrid successor, Kylian Mbappe, sits in second, earning nearly four times less in La Liga.

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How the salary figures were checked

This list covers the salaries of world football’s highest earners in 2026/27, and was last checked in October 2026. The figures are taken from Capology, which tracks and estimates player salaries.

Capology claims to ‘strive’ for accuracy, however, the website is unable to offer definitive confirmation, in the absence of viewing official contracts. This page will be updated as salaries change.

Nine of ten players in this list have Capology ‘verified’ salaries. Per the website: “A player's wage is ‘verified’ if provided directly by the club, agent, or intermediary, and/or is confirmed by 2 or more sources.”

Cristiano Ronaldo: Al Nassr, £214,546,335 per year

Since moving to the Saudi Pro League, the now 41-year-old is, with ease, football’s highest-paid player, earning £214,546,335 annually.

His gross fixed pay amounts to approximately £177million, and is supplemented by a yearly bonus of over £36million at Al Nassr.

Kylian Mbappe: Real Madrid, £61,212,324 per year

Since joining from PSG in June 2024, the Frenchman is now football’s second-highest paid player worldwide, taking home an annual pay cheque of £61,212,324.

Mbappe nets over £500,000 per week, which is boosted by an annual bonus of over £34million.

Erling Haaland: Man City, £45,500,000 per year

Topping SPORTbible’s list of the highest-paid Premier League players, Erling Haaland ranks third globally.

His £525,000 weekly salary is more than that of anyone in the English top-flight, and his Real Madrid-playing rival. However, the Manchester City bagsman’s bonus is slightly less ludicrous, sitting at just £18.2million yearly.

Vinicius Junior: Real Madrid, £42,704,286 per year

Mbappe’s Brazilian team-mate is also among football’s highest-paid talents, raking in almost £43million yearly. Additionally, he is the only player present in Capology’s top 10 whose salary is unverified.

The La Liga star’s weekly salary of £513,273 is equal to that of his French peer, however, Vinicius Junior nets significantly less in bonus payments: £16million to Mbappe’s 34.

Sadio Mane: Al Nassr, £42,704,286 per year

The Robin to Ronaldo’s Batman also makes the cut, earning an identical pay cheque to Vinicius Junior.

Mane, once a staple figure in Jurgen Klopp’s peak Liverpool sides, traded in life on Merseyside for Bayern Munich, then for the Saudi Pro League.

At Al Nassr, the Senegalese star earns over £650,000 weekly, and takes home the smallest annual bonus yet: approximately £8.5million.

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Kalidou Koulibaly: Al Hilal, £37,050,239 per year

After shooting to stardom with Napoli, followed by a season-long stint with Chelsea, the Senegalese centre-back joined Al Hilal in 2023/24.

From a financial perspective, it is unlikely Koulibaly will ever make a more lucrative decision. He earns over £550,000 weekly, which is supplemented by a bonus of nearly £7.5million.

Jamal Musiala: Bayern Munich, £30,132,145 per year

As the first and only Bundesliga player in this list, Musiala stands tall as the German top-flight’s highest-paid talent.

One of his nation’s most beloved starboys, and a standout forward for Bayern Munich in recent years, the 23-year-old earns almost £375,000 weekly, and bags an annual bonus of over £10million.

Rodri: Barcelona, £30,072,359 per year

Manchester City’s money may be in doubt, but that of 2024 Ballon D’or winner Rodri isn’t.

After an eventful summer, during which the Spaniard moved to Barcelona and also won the 2026 World Cup, the midfielder is now his club’s highest-paid player, netting almost £450,000 per week.

Lamine Yamal: Barcelona, £28,475,218 per year

Barcelona’s starboy might be second to Rodri on the La Liga side’s wage bill, but his salary isn’t to be scoffed at. Yamal earns over £375,000 weekly, and brings home a bonus of almost £9million each year.

Additionally, the Spanish superstar earns £10million more than Barcelona’s third-highest earner, Raphinha, putting him and Rodri far above their team-mates.

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic: Al Hilal, £27,236,794 p/year

Perhaps this list’s most surprising name, Milinkovic-Savic nets over £400,000 weekly at Al Hilal, and is supplemented by an annual bonus of over £5million.

Once a Serie A mainstay at Lazio, the Serbian veteran moved to the Saudi Pro League in 2023/24 and never looked back.

Because, when you’re earning over £27million each year, why would you?