In the realm of football’s financial elite for 2023, Cristiano Ronaldo reigns supreme, outpacing prominent figures such as Lionel Messi and Neymar, according to Forbes.
Ronaldo, Forbes’ highest-earning athlete across all sports, takes the top spot with an anticipated total income of $260 million. His lucrative contract with Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, to which he transferred from Manchester United in January, is estimated at $200 million. Additionally, his endorsement portfolio, featuring prominent brands like Nike and Jacob & Co, contributes an estimated $60 million annually to his earnings.
Lionel Messi occupies the second position on the list, boasting an expected total income of $135 million, fueled by his transition to MLS club Inter Miami. Notably, Messi is the first MLS player to make it into the top 10 since David Beckham in 2012.
Brazilian forward Neymar claims the third spot with a total income of $112 million, following his move to the Saudi Pro League’s Al Hilal in August.
The impact of the Saudi Pro League on the rankings is evident, with four players (Ronaldo, Neymar, Karim Benzema, and Sadio Mané) securing places in the top 11 highest earners globally. Forbes reports that the collective earnings of these four Saudi Pro League players account for more than half of the $995 million earned by all 11 players on the rich list.
Kylian Mbappé closely follows his former Paris Saint-Germain teammate Neymar, amassing total earnings of $110 million. Within the Premier League, Manchester City’s Erling Haaland emerges as the highest-paid player, surpassing the earnings of Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and teammate Kevin De Bruyne.
Forbes’ calculations encompass on-field earnings, including prize money, salaries, and bonuses accumulated in the past year, while off-field earnings encompass estimated income from sponsorship deals, appearance fees, licensing agreements, and business ventures.
Forbes’ Top 11 Highest-Paid Footballers List in 2023:
Cristiano Ronaldo ($260 million)
Lionel Messi ($135 million)
Neymar ($112 million)
Kylian Mbappé ($110 million)
Karim Benzema ($106 million)
Erling Haaland ($58 million)
Mohamed Salah ($53 million)
Sadio Mané ($52 million)
Kevin De Bruyne ($39 million)
Harry Kane ($36 million)
Robert Lewandowski ($34 million)