10 highest-paid players in football (2026): Cristiano Ronaldo earns more than twice as much as Lionel Messi
The 41-year-old's estimated earnings stand at $300 million, while Messi is second with $145 million. This is the fourth consecutive season, and the 12th time in 13 years, that the two have occupied the leading positions.
Ronaldo is set to earn $250 million from Al Nassr alone. To put that figure into perspective, it is more than the combined total earnings of the five players ranked sixth to tenth.
According to Forbes, the top 10 will earn around $942 million between them. The estimates include salaries, bonuses and commercial income before taxes and agents' fees.
On-field earnings cover the 2026/27 season, with Messi's figure calculated for the 2026 calendar year because of the MLS schedule. Here is the full list, with each player's total followed by their on-field and off-field earnings: Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr)- $300 million ($250m on-field, $50m off-field) Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)- $145 million ($70m on-field, $75m off-field) Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid)- $100 million ($70m on-field, $30m off-field) Erling Haaland (Manchester City)- $85 million ($60m on-field, $25m off-field) Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid)- $76 million ($48m on-field, $28m off-field) Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)- $55 million ($35m on-field, $20m off-field) Sadio Mané (Al Nassr)- $54 million ($50m on-field, $4m off-field) Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) - $45 million ($29m on-field, $16m off-field) Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) - $42 million ($29m on-field, $13m off-field) Mohamed Salah (Trabzonspor)- $40 million ($20m on-field, $20m off-field) Salah remains among the top 10 despite leaving Liverpool for Trabzonspor on a free transfer in August.
Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal, meanwhile, is the youngest player on the list at just 19. Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi face different chapters in their international careers Lionel Messi recently played his final match for Argentina, scoring once and providing two assists in their 3-0 friendly win over Benin at the Monumental on October 6.
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner converted a penalty to take his international tally to 126 goals in 208 appearances. Speaking to the supporters after the match, Messi said (via Reuters ): "I love all of you, and I will miss all of you.
I am proud to be Argentine." While his Argentina career has come to an end, Messi remains under contract with Inter Miami until 2028. The 39-year-old also has the highest off-field earnings on the Forbes list, with an estimated $75 million from his commercial activities.
Cristiano Ronaldo, on the other hand, faces an uncertain future with Portugal following his departure from their training camp in Copenhagen on September 30. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner had been left on the bench during the 2-1 victory over Norway.
According to Reuters, citing Portuguese media, Ronaldo was provisionally suspended by the Portuguese Football Federation on October 10 while disciplinary proceedings continued.