Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are two of the highest-paid footballers in the world this year. Here we have the top five from fifth to first.
Messi was on an enormous contract at Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain but his deal at Inter Miami is one of a kind.
He is partnered with Apple and Adidas and now earns more money off the field than his record-breaking Major League Soccer contract.
Likewise, Ronaldo has long been on one of the highest salaries in football but his contract at Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr is absolutely incredible.
Will Messi or Ronaldo be in top spot? Who are the other three players on the list? HITC Football brings you the top five highest-paid footballers in 2024 in descending order (according to Forbes).
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The highest-paid footballers in 2024
5. Karim Benzema – $106m
Karim Benzema was already recognised as a great player but his stock rose to another level when Ronaldo departed Real Madrid.
Benzema suddenly became the main man for Los Blancos and soon entered into discussions over the best player in the world.
At 35 years of age, he finally decided to leave La Liga after 14 seasons and go to Saudi Arabia.
The move has not gone to plan on the pitch, mainly due to injury, but the Frenchman has earned $106 million in 2024.
4. Neymar – $108m
Neymar is another player who moved to the Saudi Pro League but he has barely played for Al Hilal because of an ACL Injury.
The Brazilian has featured in just three league games since signing for the club in August last year but that has not affected his pockets.
Neymar has been paid $108m this year, with $80m coming directly from Al Hilal despite his lack of availability.
3. Kylian Mbappe – $110m
Kylian Mbappe is perhaps the heir to Messi and Ronaldo’s thrones as the most marketable player in football.
He is at the centre of deals with the NBA, Nike, Hublot and Oakley, with his off-field earnings in 2024 thought to be $20m.
Meanwhile, his lucrative contracts with PSG and now Real Madrid have made him $90m in 2024.
2. Lionel Messi – $135m
Messi is not the highest-paid footballer in the world. His off-field earnings in 2024 ($70m) are more than any other player but his contract ($65m) is not outlandish.
The 37-year-old has achieved everything in the sport and many thought his move to the MLS would coincide with the decline of his powers.
Well, that is far from the truth as Messi has scored 14 goals in 13 league games in 2024 and, alongside former Barca teammates Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, could lead Inter Miami to the MLS title.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo – $260m
Cristiano Ronaldo is not only the highest-paid footballer but the highest-paid athlete across all sports in 2024, ahead of the likes of LeBron James and Stephen Curry.
The 39-year-old has over a billion social media followers and deals with a host of brands such as Nike, Herbalife and crypto exchange Binance.
However, it is his wages at Al Nassr that sets him apart. The 39-year-old, who is far from the player he once was, is on an astonishing annual salary of $200m.
The post Report: Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and the highest-paid footballers in 2024, ranked appeared first on HITC.
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