The world’s 20 highest-paid footballers: Who earns the most in 2026/27?

The 2026/27 football season has commenced, with the world's top players returning to the field after the FIFA World Cup concluded in North America. English publication Capology.com, salaryleaks.com, and media reports collated data to create a list of the highest-paid footballers globally.

Egyptian sensation Mohamed Salah, who recently moved to Trabzonspor in Turkey's Super Lig, commands a salary of $470,000 per week. The Brazilian football star, Vinicius Jr., who is back at Real Madrid, also earns $470,000 weekly. This season, Ronaldo aims to defend his title with Al Nassr and strives for his 1,000th career goal.

On the other end of the spectrum, Joshua Kimmich from Bayern Munich earns $440,000 per week. Theo Hernandez from Al Hilal and Kingsley Coman also play for Al Nassr, with weekly salaries of $450,000. Jude Bellingham and Jan Oblak, both from Real Madrid, receive $460,000 each per week. Other notable earners include Darwin Nunez from Al Hilal with $490,000 weekly, Lionel Messi from Inter Miami at $545,000 per week, Harry Kane and Jamal Musiala, both of Bayern Munich, at $550,000 weekly, Ivan Toney from Al Ahli at $560,000 weekly, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic from Al Hilal at $560,000 per week, Kylian Mbappe from Real Madrid at $690,000 weekly, Vinicius Junior again at $690,000 weekly, Erling Haaland from Manchester City at $700,000 per week, Kalidou Koulibaly from Al Hilal at $770,000 weekly, and Sadio Mane from Al Nassr at $880,000 weekly.

Karim Benzema from Al Hilal is the highest-paid player at $2.7 million per week, followed by Cristiano Ronaldo from Al Nassr with $4.5 million per week.