Olamileka Olami10. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) – $36 million
Earnings Breakdown:
- On-Field: $26 million
- Off-Field: $10 million
Harry Kane’s move to Bayern Munich has not only increased his earnings but also his influence in European football. His endorsements with Nike and Hugo Boss add to his off-field income (Front Office Sports) (Extratime Talk) (Gistbriefly).
Achievements:
- Bundesliga: Quickly became a top scorer for Bayern Munich, leading them in goals.
- UEFA Champions League: Played a crucial role in Bayern’s campaign, contributing with goals and assists.
- England National Team: Continued to be the captain and top scorer for England in their qualifying matches.
- Individual Awards: Bundesliga Player of the Month and included in the UEFA Team of the Year.
9. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) – $39 million
Earnings Breakdown:
- On-Field: $35 million
- Off-Field: $4 million
Kevin De Bruyne remains a crucial part of Manchester City’s midfield, with his performances earning him a high salary. His endorsements with Nike and other brands contribute to his off-field earnings (Front Office Sports) (Extratime Talk) (Gistbriefly).
Achievements:
- Premier League: Integral to Manchester City’s title win with his assists and goals.
- UEFA Champions League: Key player in City’s run to the final stages.
- Belgium National Team: Led Belgium in their World Cup qualifiers and UEFA Nations League.
- Individual Awards: Premier League Player of the Season and included in the UEFA Team of the Year.
8. Sadio Mané (Al Nassr) – $52 million
Earnings Breakdown:
- On-Field: $48 million
- Off-Field: $4 million
Sadio Mané’s transfer to Al Nassr has been financially rewarding, with a substantial increase in his salary. His endorsements with New Balance and Western Union add to his earnings (Front Office Sports) (Extratime Talk) (Gistbriefly).
Achievements:
- Saudi Pro League: Played a vital role in Al Nassr’s successes, contributing with goals and assists.
- Senegal National Team: Led Senegal in their Africa Cup of Nations campaign.
- Individual Awards: Included in the Saudi Pro League Team of the Season and won player of the month awards.
7. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) – $53 million
Earnings Breakdown:
- On-Field: $35 million
- Off-Field: $18 million
Mohamed Salah continues to be a pivotal player for Liverpool, with his new contract boosting his salary. His endorsement deals with Adidas and Pepsi contribute significantly to his income (Front Office Sports) (Extratime Talk) (Gistbriefly).
Achievements:
- Premier League: Key player in Liverpool’s campaign, finishing as one of the top scorers.
- UEFA Champions League: Helped Liverpool reach the knockout stages with crucial goals and assists.
- Egypt National Team: Led Egypt in their Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup qualifying campaigns.
- Individual Awards: Premier League Player of the Month and included in the PFA Team of the Year.
6. Erling Haaland (Manchester City) – $58 million
Earnings Breakdown:
- On-Field: $46 million
- Off-Field: $12 million
Erling Haaland’s move to Manchester City has been immensely successful, with his goal-scoring prowess shining through. His endorsement deals with Nike and Hyperice also add to his impressive earnings (Front Office Sports) (Extratime Talk) (Gistbriefly).
Achievements:
- Premier League: Top scorer and a key player in Manchester City’s title run.
- UEFA Champions League: Played a crucial role in City’s Champions League campaign.
- Norway National Team: Became the top scorer for Norway in their World Cup qualifying matches.
- Individual Awards: Premier League Golden Boot, included in the UEFA Team of the Year.
5. Karim Benzema (Al Ittihad) – $106 million
Earnings Breakdown:
- On-Field: $100 million
- Off-Field: $6 million
Karim Benzema’s transfer to Al Ittihad has made him one of the highest-paid players in the world. His performances have been stellar, earning him a high salary and endorsements with brands like Adidas (Front Office Sports) (Extratime Talk) (SportsAdda).
Achievements:
- Saudi Pro League: Became the top scorer for Al Ittihad and led the team to several victories.
- France National Team: Continued to be a significant figure in the national team, contributing in the UEFA Nations League.
- Individual Awards: Won the Saudi Pro League Player of the Year
4. Neymar Jr. (Al Hilal) – $112 million
Earnings Breakdown:
- On-Field: $80 million
- Off-Field: $32 million
Neymar’s move to Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League has significantly boosted his earnings, with a substantial salary increase and continued strong endorsements with brands like Puma and Red Bull (Front Office Sports) (Extratime Talk) (SportsAdda).
Achievements:
- Saudi Pro League: Became a marquee player for Al Hilal, contributing significantly with goals and assists.
- Brazil National Team: Played a key role in Brazil’s Copa America campaign and World Cup qualifiers.
- Individual Awards: Included in the Saudi Pro League Team of the Season and won several player of the month awards.
3. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) – $135 million
Earnings Breakdown:
- On-Field: $65 million
- Off-Field: $70 million
Lionel Messi’s switch to Inter Miami has not only raised the profile of Major League Soccer (MLS) but also significantly increased his earnings. His deals with Adidas, Pepsi, and several other global brands contribute to his massive off-field earnings (Front Office Sports) (SportsAdda) (Gistbriefly).
Achievements:
- MLS: Helped Inter Miami reach new heights with his performances, including leading them to their first playoff appearance.
- Argentina National Team: Continued to play a crucial role, leading Argentina in World Cup qualifiers and friendly matches.
- Individual Awards: Won the Best MLS Player of the Year and was included in the MLS All-Star team.
2. Kylian Mbappé (Paris Saint-Germain) – $244 million
Earnings Breakdown:
- On-Field: $180 million
- Off-Field: $64 million
Kylian Mbappé has cemented his place as one of the highest earners in football. His exceptional performance for PSG and the French national team, combined with lucrative endorsement deals with Nike, Hublot, and EA Sports, have significantly boosted his earnings (Front Office Sports) (Extratime Talk) (Gistbriefly).
Achievements:
- Ligue 1: Top scorer and key player in PSG’s league title run.
- UEFA Champions League: Instrumental in PSG’s deep run into the knockout stages.
- International: Led France to victory in the Nations League and was the top scorer for the national team in qualifying matches.
- Individual Awards: Ligue 1 Player of the Year, UEFA Team of the Year inclusion.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr) – $260 million
Earnings Breakdown:
- On-Field: $200 million
- Off-Field: $60 million
Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League has significantly boosted his earnings. Ronaldo’s immense popularity and consistent performance have kept him at the top of the earnings chart. Off the field, his endorsements with major brands like Nike, Herbalife, and Clear Hair Care contribute substantially to his income (Front Office Sports) (Extratime Talk) (SportsAdda).
Achievements:
- Saudi Pro League: Ronaldo has been pivotal in Al Nassr’s success, contributing with goals and assists.
- Portugal National Team: Continued to break records as the highest goal scorer in international football.
- Individual Awards: Multiple player of the month awards and accolades for his performance in the league.
The debate over who is the better player between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi has been a topic of discussion among football fans and experts for over a decade. Both players have achieved extraordinary success in their careers, but their styles, strengths, and achievements differ. Here is a comparison of the two based on various aspects:
Playing Style
- Cristiano Ronaldo: Known for his physical prowess, speed, and aerial ability, Ronaldo is a versatile forward who can play in multiple attacking positions. His powerful shots, heading ability, and dribbling skills make him a formidable goal scorer. Ronaldo is often praised for his athleticism and work ethic.
- Lionel Messi: Messi is celebrated for his exceptional dribbling, vision, and playmaking abilities. He is a master of creating opportunities and scoring from tight spaces. His low center of gravity, quick acceleration, and precise ball control allow him to navigate through defenses effortlessly. Messi is often described as a more naturally gifted player with an innate sense of the game.
Achievements
- Cristiano Ronaldo:
- Club Titles: Ronaldo has won domestic league titles in England (Manchester United), Spain (Real Madrid), and Italy (Juventus).
- Champions League: He has won the UEFA Champions League five times.
- International: Ronaldo led Portugal to victory in the 2016 UEFA European Championship and the 2019 UEFA Nations League.
- Individual Awards: Ronaldo has won five Ballon d’Or awards and numerous other individual honors.
- Lionel Messi:
- Club Titles: Messi has won multiple domestic league titles with FC Barcelona and Inter Miami.
- Champions League: He has won the UEFA Champions League four times with Barcelona.
- International: Messi led Argentina to victory in the 2021 Copa America and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
- Individual Awards: Messi has won seven Ballon d’Or awards, more than any other player in history, and numerous other individual honors.
Statistical Comparison
- Goals: Ronaldo is known for his goal-scoring record and is the all-time top scorer in the UEFA Champions League and international football.
- Assists: Messi excels in creating goals for his teammates and has a higher assist count than Ronaldo.
- Consistency: Both players have maintained high performance levels for over a decade, showcasing their longevity and consistency.
Intangibles
- Leadership: Ronaldo is often seen as a more vocal and charismatic leader on the pitch, inspiring his teammates through his determination and confidence.
- Influence: Messi’s influence on the game is often subtle but profound, with his ability to change the course of a match through his creativity and intelligence.
Conclusion
Deciding who is the better player between Ronaldo and Messi ultimately comes down to personal preference and the specific aspects of football one values more. Ronaldo is admired for his physicality, goal-scoring ability, and leadership, while Messi is revered for his creativity, playmaking skills, and natural talent. Both have left an indelible mark on the sport and will be remembered as two of the greatest footballers of all time.
