Highest-paid soccer players in the World Cup
Soccer players in the top flight take home an astronomical amount of money each year. From Cristiano Ronaldo’s and Lionel Messi’s billionaire status to teenagers making millions, top soccer athletes take home an extreme amount of money on and off the field each year.
With this year marking the 22nd edition of the sport’s most prestigious competition, here are the highest-paid soccer athletes at this year’s World Cup.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal, $300 million
When Cristiano Ronaldo returned to his former club, Manchester United, in August 2021, Ronaldo imagined his homecoming as a new challenge. However, an intense interview with Piers Morgan led to Ronaldo’s move to Saudi Arabian soccer club Al-Nassr FC in December 2022, shocking the world.
Ronaldo’s move triggered an influx of other soccer stars to move to the Saudi Arabian league, helping the league transform into a legitimate competitor to Europe’s top leagues. Ronaldo’s $235 million per season paycheck also makes him the highest-paid soccer player in history.
When Ronaldo isn’t making over $200 million playing soccer, he receives the rest of his earnings primarily from his own brand CR7, which started as an underwear line and has expanded to fragrances, clothing, jewelry, hotels and gyms. And with sponsorships with brands like Nike and LiveScore, Ronaldo takes home $300 million per year, making him the highest-earning athlete in the world in 2026.
This year’s World Cup will be the 41-year-old’s sixth and final attempt at chasing his long-awaited trophy with his nation, Portugal.
Lionel Messi, Argentina, $140 million
Lionel Messi’s move to Inter Miami marked a pivotal moment in not just his career but for the club as well.
In his previous club at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Messi was earning $41 million per season. Once his contract expired in the summer of 2023, Messi made the move to David Beckham’s Inter Miami, which was underperforming since its founding in 2020.
With Messi’s name attached to Inter Miami, the Argentine soccer player was integral in the club’s success, winning the 2023 Leagues Cup and the MLS Cup in 2025. By catapulting the club to glory, this led to his $70-$80 million salary on the field: his $25 million base salary, around $28 million in guaranteed compensation, with the remainder coming from his partnership with Adidas and his streaming revenue share with Apple. Messi’s off-field business ventures include MiM Hotels ownership and the launch of The Messi Store, bringing his total earnings to $140 million.
At the age of 38, Messi will also be making his sixth appearance at the World Cup. Having won the competition in 2022, this may also be Messi’s last attempt at winning the trophy back-to-back.
Kylian Mbappé, France, $95 million
From 2017 to 2024, PSG and Spanish giant Real Madrid endured a years-long dramatic saga for Real Madrid to purchase gifted striker Kylian Mbappé. In the summer of 2024, Real Madrid not only won the battle but also had the last laugh as the club didn’t have to pay a single cent to PSG for Mbappé.
Earning $70 million on the field, the Frenchman’s base salary is around $31 million, while earning $40 million in bonuses, making Mbappé the club’s current highest-paid player. When the striker isn’t scoring top-class goals, he earns the remaining $25 million in investments like the French SailGP team and holding a majority stake in French Ligue 2’s Stade Malherbe Caen. Mbappé also earns his $25 million in endorsements with brands like Dior and Nike.
In 2018, then-19-year-old Mbappé was pivotal in securing France’s second World Cup win, beating out the year’s underdog Croatia. Playing in his third World Cup, Mbappé and France are heavy favorites to win the tournament again, after coming second in 2022.
Erling Haaland, Norway, $80 million
Since Norway’s Erling Haaland joined Manchester City in 2022, he’s been the club’s second-leading goal scorer, scoring 112 goals since his arrival. Staying on contract until 2034, the Norwegian earns around $60 million per season.
Haaland’s off-field business ventures include establishing a chess company, Chess Mates, starting his own YouTube channel and brand partnerships with Nike, from which he reportedly earns $24 million.
While Haaland’s dominance in the Premier League is undeniable, he hasn’t been able to do the same for his national team. After missing out on the 2022 World Cup, Haaland will finally get the chance to compete in his first-ever World Cup tournament this year.
Vinícius Júnior, Brazil, $60 million
Since joining Real Madrid in 2018, Brazilian winger Vinícius Júnior has played an integral role in the club’s success, especially in the 2021-2022 and 2023-2025 UEFA Champions League wins. The 2021-2022 season was Vinícius’ breakout year, where he scored 22 goals and 20 assists in a season.
With a release clause of $1 billion, it’s easy to understand why Real Madrid pays the Brazilian $40 million per year and will do whatever it takes to keep him on the team.
After a heartbreaking loss to Croatia in the quarterfinals of the 2022 World Cup, this year will be Vinícius’ second attempt at clinching gold. In Brazil’s group stage game against Morocco, Vinícius earned a point for Brazil with a brilliant goal he scored from a tight corner.
Mohamed Salah, Egypt, $55 million
Though Mohamed Salah’s bitter departure from Liverpool stirred discord in the soccer world, his legacy will forever be remembered. In his nine-season tenure, Salah scored 257 goals and became the Premier League’s record holder for the most assists with 93.
With record-breaking statistics, Salah’s $35 million salary is well-deserved.
Though Salah’s future at his next club will be uncertain, the winger has long played a central role in Egypt’s national team. In 2018, Salah led Egypt to qualify for the nation’s first World Cup in 28 years and again in 2026. In the nation’s opening match against Belgium, Salah assisted Emam Ashour in a goal, drawing a tie in Egypt’s opening match.
Sadio Mané, Senegal, $54 million
Senegalese winger Sadio Mané receives his $50 million paycheck playing alongside Ronaldo at Al-Nassr. The former Liverpool legend is known for his swift pace and faultless technical abilities, where he led Liverpool to its first title win in 30 years, working with Egypt’s Salah.
After a highly controversial loss at the 2025 AFCON final against Morocco, Mané will end his international soccer career with one last run at the World Cup, which Senegal has competed in four times, three of which Mané played an integral role in.
Jude Bellingham, England, $44 million
Real Madrid and English midfielder Jude Bellingham has long been in the news for his incredible talent despite his young age. His versatility and fluid playing style allow Bellingham to play in different positions. Even during Real Madrid’s disappointing 2025-2026 season, Bellingham remained a constant highlight in the squad, which makes his $25 million paycheck reasonable.
Aside from soccer, the 22-year-old became an online sensation for his brand deals with Adidas, Louis Vuitton, EA Sports and Skims. With Bellingham’s face plastered on different brands, this propelled his total net worth to $44 million.
Though Bellingham is only 22, his contributions to the English team have been pivotal. In the 2024 Euros, Bellingham provided an assist to Cole Palmar to tie the game against Spain, though England ultimately came in second. England’s highly anticipated game against Croatia will be Bellingham’s second run at the World Cup as England hopes to win their second World Cup in 60 years.
Lamine Yamal, Spain, $43 million
Lamine Yamal’s name has been echoed everywhere in the weeks leading up to the World Cup. At 18-years-old, Yamal will be a force to be reckoned with in his first-ever World Cup tournament.
Known for his technical dribbling skills, Yamal exploded into the soccer world at 15-years-old (yes, 15) with his club FC Barcelona, where he was not only Barcelona’s youngest-ever player, but also nearly scored a goal in his debut against Real Betis. Since then, Yamal has become a household name in soccer as he’s managed to impress a number of global superstars with his skills.
A joy to watch on the field, Yamal takes home $33 million playing for Barcelona (where he played for the club’s youth team since he was 7). With a release clause of €1 billion, it makes sense why Barcelona refuses to let their best player go.
In the 2024 Euros semifinals against France, Yamal scored a stunning goal outside of the penalty box to help win the game and ultimately, the tournament. Though Yamal was only 16 at the time, that goal launched Yamal to worldwide stardom as he is expected to play a vital role in Spain’s 2026 World Cup run, where the nation is a heavy favorite to win.
Harry Kane, England, $41 million
Striker Harry Kane has long been an unstoppable force in modern soccer. Kane had a 19-year spell at Tottenham Hotspur, where he grew up with the club’s youth team and entered the club’s main squad in 2010. At Tottenham, Kane became the club’s record all-time goalscorer with 280 goals.
When Kane was at Tottenham until 2023, he was earning roughly $10 million in the final years at the club before moving to Bayern Munich, where the German team paid Tottenham a whopping $100 million, shattering the Bundesliga record. Even though Kane, who earns $29 million in salary, is entering the later stage of his career, he still manages to score 146 goals in his three seasons for Bayern Munich.
Kane’s scoring prowess extends down to the English team, where he has become the nation’s all-time goal scorer and has led England’s dominance on the international stage. Though it isn’t confirmed whether this will be Kane’s last World Cup run, this year may be his last time as the nation’s starting striker.
Wrap-up
From legendary players competing in their final World Cup to talented debutants, this year is filled with some of sport’s highest-paid athletes. Whether European giants are destined to dominate the competition or underdogs are set to rip the script, this year’s World Cup will be a spectacle to watch
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