{
  "id": 15776589,
  "title": "Highest-paid players in the world [Top 10]",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/highest-paid-players-in-the-world-top-10",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-20T17:32:32.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Post Nigeria",
    "slug": "daily-post-nigeria",
    "url": "https://dailypost.ng/2026/10/20/post-36/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Forbes has released its latest ranking of the highest-paid footballers in the world, with Al-Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo at the top. Cristiano Ronaldo, the 41-year-old Portuguese star, leads the list with an estimated annual income of $300 million. This figure, which includes his salary, bonuses, and commercial earnings, is more than double that of Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi, who takes second place with $145 million.\n\nForbes' calculations are based on Ronaldo's salary, bonuses, and commercial earnings, minus taxes and agents' fees. Messi follows with $145 million, with $70 million coming from his on-field earnings and $75 million from off-field activities. The top five also includes Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Vinicius Junior, Lamine Yamal, and Sadio Mane.\n\nThe complete list of the top 10 highest-paid footballers worldwide comprises stars from various clubs and national teams, with earnings ranging from $40 million to $300 million annually. The figures reflect a blend of on-field performance and off-field endorsements, highlighting the lucrative nature of professional football in the modern era.",
  "summary": "Al-Nassr captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, remains the world’s highest-paid footballer, according to Forbes. The 41-year-old Portuguese star’s estimated earnings are more than double those of Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi. Ronaldo leads the way at $300 million, while Messi sits second at $145 million. Forbes’ figures cover salaries, bonuses and commercial earnings, calculated before taxes and […]…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}