Overview
- Forbes estimates the ten highest-paid players will collect $945 million in 2025-26.
- Lionel Messi places second at $130 million, with most income from endorsements including Adidas, Lay’s and Mastercard.
- Karim Benzema ranks third at $104 million as one of three Saudi Pro League players in the top ten alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane.
- LaLiga leads representation, with Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe (4th), Vinicius Jr (6th) and Jude Bellingham (9th) all making the list.
- Barcelona’s 18-year-old Lamine Yamal debuts at $43 million after adding Beats by Dre to his sponsorship portfolio.