1. Cristiano Ronaldo – $219 million/year – Al Nassr

Ronaldo left MU to join Al Nassr in December 2022 on a free transfer. CR7’s contract with Al Nassr is valid until 2025, with an income of about 219 million USD/year, including 75 million USD in playing salary, the remaining income comes from commercial agreements. commercial, image copyright.

2. Karim Benzema – $214 million/year – Al Ittihad

Ronaldo’s former teammate parted ways with Real Madrid just one year after winning the Golden Ball. Benzema’s destination is also the Saudi Pro League, playing for Al Ittihad. The Saudi Arabian team owned Benzema at no cost, and in return, they gave him a hugely valuable contract. According to reputable transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, the amount of money Benzema received at Al Ittihad for the 3-year contract is 643 million dollars, more than 214 million per year, which is similar to Ronaldo’s contract, with income from activities. commercial and image copyright.

3. Neymar – $150 million/year Al Hilal

On August 15, 2023, Al Hilal officially announced the new contract Neymar. The team playing in the Saudi Pro League signed Neymar after paying PSG $110 million in transfer fee. As for Neymar, the striker receives $300 million for a 2-year contract, which can increase to $400 million with additional terms.

4. N’Golo Kante – $107 million/year – Al Ittihad

After the unsuccessful 2022/23 season, Kante decided to leave Chelsea. The new destination of the French midfielder is Al Ittihad with a 3-year contract. Every year playing with Benzema in the Saudi Pro League, Kante will receive about $107 million.

5. Kylian Mbappe – 78 million dollars/year – PSG

The French star is receiving $78 million per year at the Parc des Princes. Mbappe would have become the player with the highest salary in the world if he agreed to an offer from Al Hilal worth up to 776 million dollars for just one year of contract. Mbappe refused.

The French player’s contract with PSG will end in June 2024. This striker was willing to accept sitting on the bench for a whole year to join Real Madrid next summer on a free transfer. However, the latest information says that Mbappe has “turned around”, ready to sit down at the negotiating table with PSG.

6. Lionel Messi – $54 million/year – Inter Miami

Messi is said to have rejected a “billion dollar” offer for a 2-year contract from Al Hilal, the team that just recruited Neymar. Instead, Messi chose Inter Miami of MLS with an annual salary of about $54 million. In addition, the captain of the Argentina team also has a profit-sharing agreement with Apple, Adidas, and Fanatics (a sports goods company and partner of leading US sports clubs and tournaments).

Notably, the remaining 4 players in the top 10 highest paid players in the world in 2023 are all playing in the Saudi Pro League: Jordan Henderson ($46.9 million/year – Al Ettifaq); Sadio Mane ($43 million/year – Al Nassr); Riyad Mahrez ($39.2 million/year – Al Ahli); Kalidou Koulibaly ($38 million/year – Al Hilal).