CORNERFLICK
Cristiano Ronaldo remains football’s highest earner, with Forbes projecting $300 million in income for 2026, ahead of Lionel Messi on $145 million.
Ronaldo and Messi stay out in front
Forbes says Ronaldo and Messi have finished first and second among the world’s best-paid footballers for the fourth consecutive season, and for the 12th time in the past 13 years.
Ronaldo is expected to make about $250 million from Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, plus $50 million from sponsorships and his own business activity. Messi is projected to earn $70 million from Inter Miami and $75 million off the pitch.
Mbappé, Haaland and Yamal move up
Kylian Mbappé is third on $100 million, while Erling Haaland is fourth on $85 million and Vinícius Júnior fifth on $76 million. Lamine Yamal, 19, is sixth on $55 million after new commercial deals with American Eagle, Coca-Cola and McDonald’s.
Forbes said the top 10 players are set to earn $942 million in total this season, slightly down from last year’s record $945 million. Harry Kane returns to the list after Karim Benzema dropped out, while Mohamed Salah is the only Premier League representative after his move to Trabzonspor.