Professional football is a lucrative business in 2023 and the top 10 highest-paid players on the planet are raking in huge amounts of money both in salary and sponsorship deals.

Ronaldo and Karim Benzema are pioneers

The salaries of the world’s top soccer stars have grown exponentially in recent years, especially after giant multinationals, financiers and oil nations became owners. club owner.

The emergence of the Saudi Pro League has also had a huge impact on those who make the most money in football. Surprisingly 8 out of the 10 highest earning players in football are currently playing in Saudi Arabia.

Here, we take a look at the top 10 highest-paid football stars on the planet in 2023, based on their annual salary, with data from the French newspaper Le Parisien.

Koulibaly in the colors of Al-Hilal

10. KALIDOU KOULIBALY – 30 million euros (577,000 euros/week)

The Senegal international had a rough first season in the Premier League and only lasted a year in England before looking for a new challenge elsewhere. He enjoyed a handsome salary at Chelsea, but Al-Hilal took the figure to a whole new level. Paid a huge salary of 577,000 euros a week, Koulibaly is currently the highest paid defender in the world.

Riyad Mahrez joins Al-Ahli

9. RIYAD MAHREZ – 35 million euros (673,000 euros/week)

The Premier League would not be the same without the Algerian winger. You can hardly blame him for moving to Saudi Arabia although considering he will now make more money than any of his former teammates. Mahrez will be a star in Saudi for Al-Ahli and we wouldn’t be surprised to see him put out some ridiculous numbers in terms of goals and assists.

Jordan Henderson joins Al-Ettifaq

8. JORDAN HENDERSON – 40 million euros (769,000 euros/week)

The former Liverpool captain became the highest-paid English player in the world upon completing his move to Al-Ettifaq. Now he alone makes more money than this ridiculously talented squad of 11 players.

Sadio Mane plays for Al Nassr

7. SADIO MANE – 40 million euros (769,000 euros/week)

For whatever reason, things never worked out for Mane at Bayern Munich. Liverpool fans were heartbroken to lose him at the time, but the Senegal forward hasn’t been the same since leaving Anfield. He only lasted a year at the Allianz Arena before the Saudi clubs knocked on the door. In the end, Al Nassr won the race for Mane’s signature and he will be paid 769,000 euros a week for his services.

“I don’t know what happened at Bayern,” Jurgen Klopp told reporters.

“When he left us, he left us in very good form, a world-class player. New environment, new expectations possible. I didn’t talk to Sadio about it.

Lionel Messi shines at Inter Miami

6. LIONEL MESSI – 45 million euros (865,000 euros/week)

It is worth noting that Messi turned down an offer of more than 1 billion euros to join the Saudi Pro League, but in the end, MLS is a more attractive project for the 36-year-old.

Messi told reporters upon signing with Inter Miami: “I want to come back to enjoy my daily life, to enjoy my family, my children.

As you’d expect, Messi is completely on foot in America. Now reunited with Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, it’s been a long time since we’ve seen Messi this happy at club level.

Kylian Mbappe ‘temporarily’ in Paris

5. KYLIAN MBAPPE – 70 million euros (1,346,000 euros/week)

Given the dominance of European football over the past few decades, it’s quite remarkable that Mbappe is currently the only player in Europe to make the top 10 list.

Kylian’s long-term future at PSG remains in doubt, although he was recently reintegrated into first-team training following his stint with the youth team. Transfer links to Real Madrid are still rife, with many believing he will join the Spanish club on a free transfer next summer when his contract with PSG expires.

Neymar with an unbelievable contract

4. NEYMAR – 100 million euros (1,923,000 euros/week)

The Champions League nights will not be as exciting as before without Neymar. The Brazilian superstar recently moved to Al Hilal and is now earning more than he pocketed at PSG.

According to various sources, as part of the contract with Al Hilal, Neymar will also get access to a private jet, a bonus of 80,000 euros for each victory, a large villa with staff and 500,000 euros for each Instagram post. promote Saudi Arabia. Crazy money!

N’Golo Kante has enough money to buy a club in Belgium

3. N’GOLO KANTE – 100 million euros (1,923,000 euros/week)

The French midfielder is currently ranked as one of the highest earners in the world and he wastes no time squandering his cash. Kante used his wealth to buy Royal Excelsior Virton, the Belgian third division team.

“Flavio (previous president) is clearly very happy to be able to give the keys to the club to N’Golo Kante, a player of a high class, not only for his footballing qualities but also for being recognized by everyone. in terms of quality,” said Royal Excelsior in a club statement.

“Driven by a passion for football, N’Golo Kante’s will is to continue the club structure to strengthen its foundations, stabilize its personnel and ultimately reconnect with the RE Virton training tradition, through Youth Training Academy”.

Karim Benzema is enjoying the highest salary in the world

2. KARIM BENZEMA – 200 million euros (3,846,000 euros/week)

After winning everything with Real Madrid, Benzema decided it was time to find a new challenge this summer. The 35-year-old is currently the highest earner in the world, earning 3,846,000 euros a week playing for Al-Ittihad.

So far, the French striker has adapted well to life in Saudi Arabia, scoring three goals in his first five games for his new team. He will surely bring many memorable moments to Al-Ittihad fans over the next few years.

Cristiano Ronaldo has ushered in the biggest migration in the history of world football

1. CRISTIANO RONALDO – 200 million euros (3,846,000 euros/week)

Yes, this is absurd. However, both Ronaldo and Al Nassr seem satisfied with the arrangement.