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Forbes’ latest report of the highest paid soccer players 2023 reveals that Cristiano Ronaldo has skyrocketed to reclaim No. 1 on the list. Forbes accounts for players’ salaries and off-field income.
In 2022 Kylian Mbappé sat at the top of the list, but the new influences from Saudi Arabia and Major League Soccer have shaken things up.
Here are the top ten highest paid soccer players in 2023 according to Forbes.
Highest paid soccer players 2023 per Forbes
1. Cristiano Ronaldo ($260 million)
- Salary: $200 million
- Endorsements: $60 million
- Team: Al Nassr
Saudi Arabia paid the big bucks to get CR7 with his on-field earnings expected to be $200 million. It’s the highest a player has ever been paid according to Forbes and he adds $60 million with his off-field money.
Ronaldo makes nearly double as No. 2 on the list.
2. Lionel Messi ($135 million)
- Salary: $65 million
- Endorsements: $70 million
- Team: Inter Miami
Lionel Messi is the only player on the list who makes more money off the field than he does on it. That Apple and Adidas money is no joke.
3. Neymar ($112 million)
- Salary: $80 million
- Endorsements: $32 million
- Team: Al Hilal
Neymar is another case of the Saudi money luring one of the biggest names. While his on-field money is lower than some other players on this list, Neymar’s deals with the likes of Puma and Red Bull still bring in enough to land him as the third highest paid soccer player in the world.
4. Kylian Mbappé ($110 million)
- Salary: $90 million
- Endorsements: $20 million
- Team: PSG
Mbappé was top of the list last season making $128 million a year. According to Forbes his on-field earnings have dropped by $20 million from 2022 to 2023.
5. Karim Benzema ($106 million)
- Salary: $100 million
- Endorsements: $6 million
- Team: Al Ittihad
Who needs endorsements when the Saudi Pro League will pay you $100 million a year? Karim Benzema was one of the biggest grabs for Saudi Arabia this summer. Seeing the Ballon d’Or winner leave Europe for Saudi Arabia was a shock.
6. Erling Haaland ($58 million)
- Salary: $46 million
- Endorsements: $12 million
- Team: Manchester City
The times have certainly changed with the highest paid Premier League player no longer cracking the top five on the list. Manchester City’s record breaker lands at No. 6 on the list but with a giant gap between himself and Karim Benzema.
7. Mohamed Salah ($53 million)
- Salary: $35 million
- Endorsements: $18 million
- Team: Liverpool
Mohamed Salah could’ve been higher on the list had it not been for Liverpool turning down a $190 million transfer fee from Al Ittihad for the Egyptian this summer. If he eventually makes a move to Saudi Arabia don’t be shocked to see him making more than he does now.
8. Sadio Mané ($52 million)
- Salary: $48 million
- Endorsements: $4 million
- Team: Al Nassr
Sadio Mané’s short stint with Bayern Munich ended with him joining forces with Ronaldo at Al Nassr. The Senegalese star has a great history of giving his millions back to better his home country.
9. Kevin de Bruyne ($39 million)
- Salary: $35 million
- Endorsements: $4 million
- Team: Manchester City
Kevin de Bruyne moves up a spot on the top 10 list as he was No. 10 in 2022. The Belgian’s total income has increased by $10 million with all that extra cheddar coming from his on-field income.
10. Harry Kane ($36 million)
- Salary: $26 million
- Endorsements: $10 million
- Team: Bayern Munich
Harry Kane’s big move from Tottenham to Bayern sees him crack into the top 10. Kane won’t care about the extra millions he’s making as his eyes are set on getting himself a trophy.
