The World's Highest-Paid Soccer Players of 2026
When Mohamed Salah terminated his contract with Liverpool a year early, MLS and the Saudi Pro League emerged as potential destinations for the Egyptian star. Instead, he shocked the soccer world this summer by signing with Trabzonspor in the Turkish Süper Lig.
On its face, it appears Salah is taking a discount. He previously earned an estimated $35 million on the field during his final season in England.
With Trabzonspor, Salah will collect $19.7 million (€17 million) in guaranteed compensation during each season of his two-year deal, split between a base salary and signing fees, according to a public team disclosure. But Salah can earn much more with the Middle Eastern club.
In addition to conditional bonuses tied to on-field performance, he's also in line to receive a 20% cut of merchandise revenue from the club's retail business for any products tied to him. While it's unclear how big Salah's final payday will eventually be, the 34-year-old still ranks as one of the sport's top earners in the meantime.
Factoring in the $20 million he makes from his off-the-field endeavors, Salah is slated to earn $40 million in estimated total earnings this season before taxes and agents' fees. 10 among the world's highest-paid soccer players, a familiar group of stars that is expected to collectively earn $935 million over the 2026-27 campaign.
It's a 1% increase over the $924 million they earnedlast season, coinciding with a lack of movement for the top players in the sport, other than Salah moving to Turkey. Cristiano Ronaldo tops the leaderboard, yet again.
The world's highest-paid athlete in any sport over the past three years, according to Sportico 'scalendar-year ranking, is projected to earn an estimated $300 million this season. Much of that sum-$250 million-comes from his contract with the Saudi Pro League's Al Nassr, which is believed to be subsidized by commercial agreements orchestrated by the club.
He also makes $50 million annually from a stable of sponsors that includes Nike, Panini and Whoop. Meanwhile, his long-time rival, Lionel Messi, ranks second.
The Argentine star, who came one match away from winning his second World Cup this summer, trails Ronaldo's on-field earnings with just $75 million. But Messi remains the best pitchman in the sport.