Well, religiously followed by billions of fans from around the world, football is undoubtedly hailed as one of the most popular and prominent sports on a global level. The history of football as an extremely rich and glorious sport has witnessed numerous legendary football players, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Neymar and many others, who have dominated their opponents on the field and have created a legacy that will continue to resonate in the annals of the sport for decades to come.
With the growing popularity of the game, the top-tier football players are earning more now than ever before and their earnings include unbelievable endorsement deals in addition to their whopping contracts with clubs. Have you ever wondered about the highest-paid football players in 2025? Well, let’s find out.
In this article we will take a look at the top four highest-paid football players in 2025 who are ruling the game both on and off the field.
Top 4 Highest-Paid Football Players in 2025
| Rank | Player | Annual income |
| 1 | Cristiano Ronaldo | £218 m |
| 2 | Lionel Messi | £103m |
| 3 | Neymar | £84m |
| 4 | Karim Benzema | £69m |
Cristiano Ronaldo – £218 Million
Often hailed as one of the greatest football players of all-time, Cristiano Ronaldo is at the first spot in our list of the top four highest-paid football players in 2025. According to reports, Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract with Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr contributes a major chunk of his annual income, reportedly earning him $220 million annually as of 2025.
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Additionally, the Al Nassr star-player, Cristiano Ronaldo, earns a massive amount as a part of his highly lucrative brand endorsement deals with prominent global brands, including Nike, Herbalife, TAG Heuer and many others, contributing an estimated total of £50 million as of 2025. Moreover, Ronaldo also earns a staggering annual revenue through his own personal brand, “CR7”, which offers a range of products and services including fashion clothing, fitness apparel and fragrances.
Lionel Messi – £103 Million
At the second spot in our list of the top four highest-paid football players in 2025 who are dominating the world of football both on and off the field, we have the legendary 37-year-old Argentine professional football player Lionel Messi, who plays as a forward for and captains both Major League Soccer club Inter Miami and the Argentina national team.
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According to reports, Lionel Messi’s contract with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS) provides him with a base salary of $12 million, and a total guaranteed compensation of $20.4 million as of 2025. Additionally, owing to his unmatched prominence in the world of football, Lionel Messi has been one of the most popular faces in the world of glitzy brand endorsements and promotes numerous prominent brands, including Adidas, Apple, Pepsi and many others, earning an estimated $70-$80 million annually.
Neymar – £84 Million
Brazilian professional football player, Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, also popularly referred to as “Neymar Jr.”, is at the third spot in our list of the top four highest-paid football players in 2025, with a staggering annual revenue of £84 million. Brazil’s all-time top goalcorer, Neymar’s contract with Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, signed in August 2023, reportedly offered him an annual salary of £80 million, establishing him as one of the highest-paid football players in the history of the game.
However, in January 2025, Neymar and Al Hilal mutually agreed to terminate his contract, reportedly forfeiting approximately €62 million in remaining wages. Currently, Neymar Jr. has returned to his boyhood club, Santos FC, signing a six-month contract with a fixed salary of over $500,000. Additionally, beyond his club salary, Neymar also earns a major chunk of his annual income through lucrative brand endorsement deals and jaw-dropping contracts with numerous global brands, including Gillette, Puma and Redbull.
Karim Benzema – £69 Million
Finally, at the fourth spot in our list of the top four highest-paid football players in 2025, we have the French professional football player Karim Mostafa Benzema, who plays as a striker for and captains Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad. Often hailed as one of the greatest strikers in the history of football, Karim Benzema reportedly earns a staggering annual income of £69 million as of 2025.
According to reports, Benzema signed a contract with Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad in June 2023, reportedly earning a gross annual salary of £60 million. Additionally, the French striker also earns an estimated £7-8 million through his star-studded brand endorsement deals with well-known brands like Adidas, Hyundai, Le Caprice Paris, Jean Paul Gaultier and BOSS (Hugo Boss).
