Forbes has released its 2025 ranking of the highest-paid football legends, highlighting athletes who continue to excel both on the pitch and in business. The list showcases global football icons whose earnings extend far beyond matchday salaries, reflecting their ability to convert sporting success, fame, and personal branding into substantial financial gain.
The top players earn significant income from club contracts, which form the core of their earnings, often supplemented by performance bonuses, prize money, and signing fees. Endorsements from international brands, sponsorship deals, and personal business ventures contribute heavily to their overall wealth. Many have diversified into investments in fashion, technology, sports academies, and lifestyle businesses, further increasing their financial footprint.
The 2025 ranking underscores how football legends are no longer just athletes; they have become global business figures influencing markets, media, and popular culture. Their financial success is built not only on athletic excellence but also on strategic brand management, marketing appeal, and off-field ventures, cementing their status as some of the most influential and lucrative figures in sports today.
Leading the list is Cristiano Ronaldo, who earned approximately US $280 million in 2025, maintaining his position as the world’s top-earning footballer. His income comes from a combination of club salaries with Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, endorsements, and his global personal brand. Lionel Messi follows in second place with around US $130 million, earning largely through off-field sources such as sponsorships, branding, and business ventures, particularly after his move to Inter Miami CF. Karim Benzema ranks third, with earnings of about US $104 million, boosted by his transfer to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad and associated commercial opportunities.
Other notable names in the top ten include Kylian Mbappé (approx. US $95 million), Erling Haaland (approx. US $80 million), Vinícius Jr. (approx. US $60 million), Mohamed Salah (approx. US $55 million), Sadio Mané (approx. US $54 million), Jude Bellingham (approx. US $44 million), and rising star Lamine Yamal, who earned about US $43 million.
The list demonstrates that modern football legends thrive not only on their sporting abilities but also through strategic business acumen, brand expansion, and global market influence, establishing themselves as some of the most financially powerful figures in the world of sports.
