Ronaldo beats Messi again, heads Top 10 highest paid footballers

10. Lamine Yamal - $43 million

At just 18, Lamine Yamal has shattered records to become the youngest player ever on Forbes' list of football's top earner s.

9. Jude Bellingham - $44 million

Jude Bellingham's career trajectory is nothing short of meteoric. At just 22, he's already a Champions League and La Liga winner with Real Madrid and England's Player of the Year.

8. Sadio Mané - $54 million

Sadio Mané's move to Al Nassr reunited him with his old teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, and it's paying off handsomely.

With $50 million in on-field wages and $4 million in endorsements, the Senegalese winger is cashing in on his Middle Eastern adventure.

7. Mohamed Salah - $55 million

Mohamed Salah remains Liverpool's Egyptian King, smashing record after record. After signing a new contract extension through 2027.

Salah's $35 million salary and $20 million in endorsement earnings keep him among football's financial elite.

6. Vinicius Junior - $60 million

Real Madrid's Brazilian dynamo Vinicius Jr. continues to dazzle fans and sponsors alike after another season being nominated in the Ballon d'Or.

Earning $40 million from the club and $20 million from brands like Nike, Hugo Boss, and Prada, Vinicius is both a fashion icon and football sensation.

5. Erling Haaland – $80 million

Erling Haaland's reign as Manchester City's unstoppable scoring machine continues, and so do his earnings.

With $60 million from his new nine-year City deal and $20 million from endorsements, Haaland is one of football's most marketable young stars.

4. Kylian Mbappe - $95 million

Kylian Mbappé's transfer to Real Madrid finally happened, and while the French superstar's debut season fell short of a Champions League trophy, his bank account certainly did not suffer.

Earning $70 million from Madrid and another $25 million off the pitch, Mbappé is thriving financially despite a few off-field battles, including a $61 million wage dispute with PSG.

3. Karim Benzema - $104 million

Karim Benzema, the French marksman who once dominated Europe with Real Madrid, is still cashing in big in Saudi Arabia with Al Ittihad.

The 37-year-old forward's $100 million on-field earnings and $4 million from sponsorships keep him firmly in the elite bracket. Benzema's consistency in front of goal has silenced critics who doubted his late-career move to the Saudi Pro League.

2. Lionel Messi - $130 million

Lionel Messi might be winding down his career in Miami's sunshine, but his financial power shows no signs of decline.

Forbes estimates his total income at $130 million, split between $60 million in on-field earnings and $70 million from endorsements. His off-pitch empire includes Adidas, Mastercard, Lay's, and his new sports drink, Más+ by Messi.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo - $280 million

At 40 years old, Cristiano Ronaldo remains football's most profitable powerhouse, earning an astonishing $230 million from Al Nassr and another $50 million off the pitch.