remains football’s biggest earner. Forbes’ 2026 ranking of the world’s highest-paid soccer players estimates that the 41-year-old Al Nassr forward will earn $300 million in the 2026-27 season, more than Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe put together.
It is to be noted that all figures are Forbes estimates of pre-tax earnings before agent fees. They combine on-field income (salary and bonuses) with off-field earnings from endorsements, licensing, appearances, and business interests. The top 10 players on the list are projected to earn $942 million between them this season.
is first for the fourth season in a row. Forbes estimates he will earn $250 million on the field from Al Nassr and $50 million off it from sponsorships and his business ventures, including the CR7 brand. His total is $55 million more than the combined $245 million projected for Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe.
He is also the first active athlete to surpass $2 billion in career pretax income. Interestingly, Ronaldo and Messi have been football’s two highest earners for four straight seasons, and in 12 of the last 13 years.
, 39, is second with estimated earnings of $145 million. He is the only player in the top five whose off-field income is projected to be bigger than his playing income. Forbes puts his off-field earnings at $75 million and his on-field earnings at about $70 million from Inter Miami and related Major League Soccer arrangements.
Real Madrid forward is third with an estimated $100 million. Forbes splits that into $70 million from his club and $30 million from commercial deals, which include his new partnership with Swiss sportswear brand On.
Manchester City striker is fourth at an estimated $85 million, with $60 million coming on the field and $25 million off it. Haaland’s contract at City runs until 2034, one of the longest deals in European football.
Real Madrid winger is fifth with an estimated $76 million. Forbes puts his on-field earnings at $48 million, after a new contract with the Spanish club, and his off-field earnings at $28 million. He was sixth on last year’s list.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr): $300 million
Lionel Messi (Inter Miami): $145 million
(Real Madrid): $100 million
Erling Haaland (Manchester City): $85 million
Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid): $76 million
Barcelona’s is sixth with an estimated $55 million. Al Nassr’s Sadio Mane is seventh at $54 million. Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham is eighth with $45 million, Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane is ninth at $42 million, and Trabzonspor’s Mohamed Salah completes the top 10 with $40 million.
