In the fiscal year 2022-2023, Cristiano Ronaldo has emerged as the undisputed leader in terms of earnings in the world of football, leaving both Lionel Messi and Neymar in his financial wake, as reported by Forbes magazine.

 

Forbes, the renowned financial publication, unveiled its list of the highest-earning football players over the past year, revealing that Ronaldo had raked in a staggering total of $260 million. This impressive sum encompasses $200 million from his salary and club bonuses, along with an additional $60 million from off-field income. It is noteworthy that Ronaldo made the shift to Al Nasr in January 2023, following the conclusion of his contract with Manchester United in November 2022.

 

Lionel Messi secured the second spot on the list, but the margin was substantial, with earnings totaling $135 million. This marked nearly half of Ronaldo’s income. The Argentinian maestro, who recently embarked on his journey with Inter Miami, became the first Major League Soccer (MLS) player to enter the top ten earners since David Beckham in 2012. The impact of the Saudi Pro League on football’s financial landscape is evident as four players from this league secured positions within the top eleven. Among these players are Ronaldo, Neymar, Karim Benzema, and Sadio Mane, collectively contributing to over half of the cumulative earnings of the top eleven players listed by Forbes.

 

Kylian Mbappe claimed the fourth position, amassing $110 million. He holds the distinction of being the highest-paid player currently competing in European leagues. Karim Benzema secured fifth place with earnings totaling $106 million, nearly twice as much as the sixth-placed player, Erling Haaland, who earned $58 million while playing for Manchester City.

 

Forbes compiled these rankings by considering various sources of income, including player salaries, club bonuses, and off-field earnings. Off-field earnings encompass sponsorship deals, appearance fees at events, income from personal brands, and profits generated from players’ own businesses.

Here’s a summary of the top eleven football earners in the past 12 months, according to Forbes:

1. Cristiano Ronaldo – $260 million
2. Lionel Messi – $135 million
3. Neymar – $112 million
4. Kylian Mbappe – $110 million
5. Karim Benzema – $106 million
6. Erling Haaland – $58 million
7. Mohamed Salah – $53 million
8. Sadio Mane – $52 million
9. Kevin De Bruyne – $39 million
10. Harry Kane – $36 million
11. Robert Lewandowski – $34 million