Paris Saint-Germain superstar Lionel Messi leads the way for the highest-paid player in world football ahead of the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.
The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner stunned the world last summer after his emotional exit from Barcelona due to La Liga’s financial regulations.
Messi completed a sensational free transfer to PSG and the Ligue 1 club made the 34-year-old Argentine forward the best-paid footballer in the world.
The Daily Star used data from Marca and Salary Sport to determine who are the 10 footballers holding the most lucrative pay packages.
Messi, 34, was well ahead of his rivals in the rankings thanks to his mammoth £960,000-per-week pay packet at PSG.
The Barcelona legend’s PSG teammate Neymar came second with his mega £606,000-per-week earnings, with the Brazilian winger signing a new deal back in 2021.
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Ronaldo, who left Juventus last summer for a blockbuster return to Manchester United, is currently the highest-paid player in the Premier League.
The 36-year-old Portuguese forward’s £385,000-per-week deal at United only earned him sixth place in the rankings, ahead of David de Gea and Kevin De Bruyne.
Oscar has been playing for Shanghai Port since his departure from Chelsea in 2017 and is earning a whopping £540,000 per week in the Chinese Super League.
However, the 30-year-old Brazilian midfielder could come tumbling down the list if he leaves Shanghai Port in January for Barcelona.
According to reports, Barcelona have made contact with former Chelsea star Oscar after Aston Villa pulled off their stunning loan deal for Philippe Coutinho.
Posted below are the 10 highest-paid footballers in the world right now, according to The Daily Star.
10. David de Gea (Manchester United): £375,000 per week
9. Philippe Coutinho (Barcelona/Aston Villa): £380,000 per week
8. Eden Hazard (Real Madrid): £381,000 per week
7. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City): £385,000 per week
6. Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United): £385,000 per week
5. Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain): £410,000 per week
4. Gareth Bale (Real Madrid): £528,000 per week
3. Oscar (Shanghai Port): £540,000 per week
2. Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain): £606,000 per week
1. Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain): £960,000 per week
Topics: Lionel Messi, Neymar, Gareth Bale, Kylian Mbappe, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Philippe Coutinho, David De Gea, Football
Adnan Riaz