The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup has already kicked off on 14 June 2025 and will witness the final showdown on 13 July 2025. Often hailed as one of the most prestigious titles in club football and also regarded as the only official FIFA tournament that brings together the champions of each continent.
The ongoing 21st edition of the FIFA Club World Cup is currently being played in an expanded format that features a total of thirty-two teams, including the winners of the four previous continental championships. While the defending champions, Real Madrid, are eying to defend their prestigious title in the ongoing 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, the other teams are also equally geared up to clinch the title with their star-studded lineup of top-notch football players.
In this article we will take a look at the top four highest-paid football players in the ongoing 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
Top 4 Highest-Paid Players At The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup
Lionel Messi, Inter Miami – $135 Million
Often hailed as one of the greatest football players of all-time, Lionel Messi is at the first spot in our list of the top four highest-paid players of the ongoing 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. As of June 2025, Lionel Messi has already clinched the coveted FIFA Club World Cup title a record total of three times in the years 2009, 2011 and 2015 with Barcelona and has also been honoured as the best player of the season twice, in 2009 and 2011.
Lionel Messi is now being hailed as Inter Miami’s biggest hope to clinch the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. The Inter Miami club has signed the football stalwart Lionel Messi for a staggering $135 million, making him the highest-paid player of the ongoing 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
Kylian Mbappé, Real Madrid – $90 Million
At the second spot in our list of the top four highest-paid football players in the ongoing 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, we have the French professional football player Kylian Mbappé, who plays as a forward for La Liga club Real Madrid and captains the France national team.
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Often popularly regarded as one of the most lethal football players in the world, Kylian Mbappé has been signed by the Real Madrid club for a whopping $90 million in the ongoing 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, making him the second highest-paid player of the season. As of June 2025, Kylian Mbappé has made 56 Real Madrid appearances this season, scoring a record total of 43 goals, making him one of the most reliable strikers for the club this season.
Erling Haaland, Manchester City – $62 Million
Next, at the third spot in our list of the top four highest-paid players of the ongoing 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, we have the 24-year-old Norwegian professional footballer, Erling Haaland, who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester City and the Norway national team.
Often hailed as one of the most reliable and dominant finishers, Erling Haaland has been signed by the Manchester City club for a staggering $62 million, making him the third-highest-paid player in the ongoing season of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Erling Haaland played a crucial role in leading City to a formidable victory at the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup and is anticipated to perform with the same dominance this season as well.
Vinicius Jr., Real Madrid – $55 Million
Finally, at the fourth spot in our list of the top four highest-paid football players in the ongoing 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, we have the iconic Brazilian professional football player, Vinícius Jr. who plays as a forward for La Liga club Real Madrid and the Brazil national team and is often hailed as one of the greatest football players of his generation.
Vinícius Jr. has been acquired by the Real Madrid club for a staggering $55 million for the ongoing 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, making him the fourth-highest paid football player of the season. Vinícius Júnior has already clinched the two Club World Cups in 2019 and 2022 and has also earned Golden Ball and Final MVP honours in 2022 by scoring a brace to secure Real’s 5–3 win over Al‑Hilal.
