Forbes 2024 Player Earnings List: Ronaldo Tops, Messi Leads in Off-Pitch Income

The renowned American business magazine *Forbes* has released its 2024 list of the top 10 highest-earning footballers, with Cristiano Ronaldo leading the pack at $285 million. Lionel Messi ranks second with $135 million, though his off-pitch earnings of $75 million are the highest, while Neymar is third in total earnings, followed by Karim Benzema in fourth place.

Following an unprecedented $1 billion spending spree by Saudi Pro League clubs last year — an extraordinary investment from a country not traditionally seen as a football powerhouse — the transfer market has significantly cooled. Lower oil prices, coupled with the country’s focus on a series of costly projects, have strained its $925 billion sovereign wealth fund. According to the German website Transfermarkt, Saudi Arabia spent only $524 million on player transfers this summer. Among these new recruits, players like Moussa Diaby, Ivan Toney, and Marcos Leonardo may draw some attention, but they are not household names.

However, for the superstars who paved the way to the Middle East, Saudi Arabia’s lucrative offers still hold. Four players from the Saudi Pro League are now among the world’s top 10 highest-earning footballers, including both their on-pitch salaries and annual earnings from endorsements, memorabilia, and other commercial activities. The Premier League occupies three spots on the list, while La Liga has two, and Messi is the only representative from Major League Soccer.

Messi ranks second in total earnings, estimated at $135 million pre-tax and before agent fees, with off-pitch income reaching $75 million — the highest in football. But for the second consecutive year, he still trails his rival Ronaldo, who joined Al-Nassr in January 2023, sparking Saudi Arabia’s transfer spree. The Portuguese superstar tops the earnings list for the sixth time in the past decade, with his on-pitch earnings expected to reach $220 million this season, including financial rewards facilitated by his club through commercial deals, in addition to his salary. His total earnings amount to $285 million, with approximately $65 million coming from off-pitch income, setting a football record and surpassing the $260 million he earned in 2023. Since 1990, only boxer Floyd Mayweather has earned more in a single year during his active career, according to *Forbes*’ tracking of all athletes.

Nonetheless, Saudi Arabia’s more subdued approach in 2024 has had a ripple effect in global football, partly due to UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations, which link club spending to revenue. As Kieran Maguire, a football finance lecturer at the University of Liverpool, explains, “In 2023, the Saudi Pro League helped the Premier League in two ways: they paid transfer fees and took on some high-wage players. But since Saudi Arabia isn’t spending, the Premier League’s income has also been affected.”

Indeed, Premier League transfer spending dropped from last year’s record $3 billion to $2.5 billion this year, with significant declines also seen in Germany’s Bundesliga and France’s Ligue 1. Only Kylian Mbappé, who transferred to Real Madrid (ranking 5th with $90 million), switched clubs among the top 10 highest-earning players this season. The lack of major transfer moves has limited income growth for other top players. The world’s top 10 highest-earning footballers are expected to collectively earn $983 million this season, a historic high for the list, but only a 2% increase from last year.

However, some upcoming new contracts could change the landscape. Erling Haaland, ranked 6th with $60 million, has scored 101 goals in 108 matches since joining Manchester City in 2022 and is currently in the third year of his five-year contract, attracting interest from other top European clubs. While an extension seems likely, his teammate Kevin De Bruyne (ranked 10th with $39 million) faces an uncertain future, as his contract expires at the end of this season.

This uncertainty also applies to Mohamed Salah, who may conclude his eight-year stint with Liverpool next summer. He ranks 8th globally with $53 million in earnings this season, but he has yet to renew his contract with the club, and in an interview with *Sky Sports*, he mentioned that this might be his “last year at the club.” Saudi Arabia could be an option, as reports suggest that Al-Ittihad offered $197 million for the Egyptian star in 2023.

“I just want to enjoy football,” Salah told reporters in September. “I don’t want to overthink things — I feel free to play, and as for what happens next year, we’ll see.”

2024 Top 10 Highest-Earning Footballers (in USD):
1. Cristiano Ronaldo - $285 million (on-pitch: $220 million, off-pitch: $65 million)
2. Lionel Messi - $135 million (on-pitch: $60 million, off-pitch: $75 million)
3. Neymar - $110 million (on-pitch: $80 million, off-pitch: $30 million)
4. Karim Benzema - $104 million (on-pitch: $100 million, off-pitch: $4 million)
5. Kylian Mbappé - $90 million (on-pitch: $70 million, off-pitch: $20 million)
6. Erling Haaland - $60 million (on-pitch: $46 million, off-pitch: $14 million)
7. Vinícius Júnior - $55 million (on-pitch: $40 million, off-pitch: $15 million)
8. Mohamed Salah - $53 million (on-pitch: $35 million, off-pitch: $18 million)
9. Sadio Mané - $52 million (on-pitch: $48 million, off-pitch: $4 million)
10. Kevin De Bruyne - $39 million (on-pitch: $35 million, off-pitch: $4 million)