Ronaldo tops list of 10 highest earning World Cup players with combined $924 million
By Aboki Forex —
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is not just a showcase of football talent. It is also a gathering of some of the world's richest athletes. According to estimates from Sportico, the tournament's 10 highest paid players earned a combined $924 million over the past 12 months. This includes salaries, bonuses and commercial deals.
Cristiano Ronaldo leads the pack with estimated earnings of $295 million before taxes and agents' fees. He is comfortably ahead of Lionel Messi who ranks second with $140 million. Together, the two football icons generated $435 million. That is almost 47% of the combined earnings of the top 10.
The figures cover earnings from the year leading up to the World Cup. They do not include prize money from the tournament itself.
Saudi Arabia's spending power reshapes football wages
A clear trend from the rankings is the growing financial influence of Saudi Arabian football. Three of the top eight highest paid players now play in the Saudi Pro League. Ronaldo leads them. His move to Al-Nassr continues to reshape football's salary landscape.
Sportico reports that Ronaldo earned about $230 million from his playing contract and related commercial arrangements with Al-Nassr. Another $65 million came from endorsement deals and business interests.
Senegal's Sadio Mané also plays for Al-Nassr. He ranks seventh with $54 million. Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez plays for Al-Ahli. He earned an estimated $53 million over the past year. Their presence among the highest earners reflects Saudi Arabia's continued investment in sport. It is part of a broader economic diversification strategy. Football has become a key tool for attracting global audiences, tourism and private investment.
Football's biggest brands earn beyond the pitch
Salaries remain the largest source of income for most elite players. But commercial partnerships separate football's biggest global brands from the rest. Ronaldo generated $65 million from off-field activities over the past year through endorsement agreements.