Cristiano Ronaldo remains the highest-paid player in the world according to Forbes

The Portuguese player is far ahead of Lionel Messi with estimated earnings of $280 million for the 2025-2026 season. At 40 years old, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to make history, both on the field and in business.

A golden contract at Al-Nassr

Since signing with Al-Nassr in December 2022, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to accumulate records. Already the first billionaire footballer in history, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner extended his contract this summer with the Saudi club, an agreement that further strengthens his status as the highest-paid athlete in the world.

According to Forbes magazine, the captain of the Portuguese national team is expected to earn $280 million this season — or about 220 million Swiss francs.

An astronomical sum, of which 230 million comes directly from his salary at Al-Nassr, with the remaining 50 million generated by his advertising contracts, commercial partnerships and personal businesses.

Ronaldo ahead of Messi, again and again

While he remains untouchable in terms of total earnings, Ronaldo is nonetheless outshone by Lionel Messi in the marketing arena. The Inter Miami player earns "only" $60 million on the pitch, but he makes up for it with $70 million off the field, thanks in particular to his deals with Adidas, Apple, and MLS.

Benzema completes the podium

In third place on the Forbes 2025 ranking is Karim Benzema. The Al-Ittihad striker, winner of the 2022 Ballon d'Or, has a combined earnings of $104 million, $100 million of which comes from his salary. He thus surpasses Kylian Mbappé, who is fourth with $95 million in combined earnings.

Neymar, another exile from the Saudi league, drops out of the top 10 after terminating his contract with Al-Hilal to join Santos. Without this move, he would have earned approximately $80 million this season.

The emergence of a new generation

Behind the giants of world football, the new generation is making its mark.

• Erling Haaland (Manchester City) ranks 5th with $80 million.,
• Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid) 6th with 60 million,
• Mohamed Salah, the former FC Basel player, comes in 7th with 55 million.,
• Jude Bellingham, the Madrid revelation, occupies 9th place with 44 million.

The surprise comes from young Lamine Yamal, barely 18 years old, who enters directly into the top 10. The FC Barcelona prodigy earns $43 million, a record for such a young player since the creation of the Forbes ranking.

Cristiano Ronaldo, an eternal phenomenon

On the cusp of his 41st birthday, Ronaldo remains a model of longevity and influence. With 948 official goals, he is getting ever closer to the mythical milestone of 1000. And financially, he continues to dominate a world where the competition is getting younger and more global.

For «CR7», the legend continues — with records, goals and extraordinary contracts.