How Much Do Footballers Earn?
Football might be a beautiful game, but let’s be honest, it’s also a money game. And when it comes to what footballers earn, the gap between the top-tier icons and the lower-league lifers is as wide as a Sunday League keeper’s positioning.
So, if you’ve ever wondered how much your favourite ballers rake in each week or how far down the ladder you’d have to drop before needing a side hustle, here’s a full breakdown of how much footballers actually earn.
Top-Tier Ballers
Let’s start at the top. The elite clubs, the Champions League showboats, and the mega earners.
Footballers at elite clubs can earn over $300,000 per week. Average weekly salaries in the English Premier League are about $75,000, with top earners exceeding $300,000 per week. Cristiano Ronaldo has annual salaries reaching $200 million or more, especially after his contract renewal at Al-Nassr.
Other European Leagues
In Spain’s La Liga, the average salary is $60,000 per week. In Germany’s Bundesliga, it’s $50,000 per week. In Italy’s Serie A, it’s $45,000 per week. In France’s Ligue 1, it’s $40,000 per week.
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Saudi Pro League
This league currently offers the highest average salaries. Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly makes around $200 million per year for his club salary alone.
Lower Leagues
Salaries drop sharply outside the top divisions. Players in England’s third tier may earn between $65,000 and $130,000 per year and could need additional income to supplement their earnings.
Non-European and Developing Football Markets
In the US, Major League Soccer players typically make around $12,000 per week, with international stars on much higher salaries. In Japan, averages are about $8,000 per week. In Brazil, they average around $6,000 per week.
Other Income Streams
Other income streams for footballers include endorsement deals, performance bonuses, and sponsorships. These can surpass base salary for global stars. Salaries also vary widely for lower-league and semi-professional players, with figures under $1,000 per week not uncommon.
Football salaries are highly dependent on the league, club size, and player reputation. There is a vast gap between the world’s best-paid stars and the average professional.
Also Read- What Is FPL? Rules To Create Your Ultimate Fantasy Football Team
