RONALDO TOPS WEEKLY SALARY RANKINGS, MESSI FALLS TO 13TH

Cristiano Ronaldo has once again emerged as the highest-paid footballer in the world by weekly base salary, while Lionel Messi has dropped to 13th in the latest global earnings rankings.

According to salary figures compiled by Capology and cited by Planet Football on Wednesday, Ronaldo earns an estimated £3.42 million per week at Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, comfortably ahead of Al-Ittihad striker Karim Benzema, who reportedly earns £2.01 million per week.

The report highlights Saudi Arabia’s growing financial power in world football, with six Saudi Pro League players featuring among the 15 highest-paid stars.

“Cristiano Ronaldo still ranks as the highest-paid player in the Saudi Pro League and world football, earning a whopping £3.4 million per week with Al-Nassr,” the report said.

Manchester City’s Erling Haaland is the Premier League’s highest-paid player with a weekly base salary of £525,000, while Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé ranks sixth on £512,992. Vinícius Júnior and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane share ninth place, each earning £410,393 per week.

Messi, who did not feature in the previous edition of the rankings, returns to the list in 13th place following his move to Inter Miami, where he reportedly earns £360,876 per week.

Elsewhere, Jamal Musiala, Darwin Núñez, Virgil van Dijk and Rúben Neves also feature among the world’s 15 highest-paid footballers by weekly base salary.

The figures are based on estimated base wages and do not include performance bonuses, signing-on fees, image rights or commercial endorsement deals.

Top 15 Highest-Paid Footballers by Weekly Base Salary

Cristiano Ronaldo – £3,421,039

Karim Benzema – £2,010,107

Sadio Mané – £656,629

Kalidou Koulibaly – £569,626

Erling Haaland – £525,000

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Kylian Mbappé – £512,992

Sergej Milinković-Savić – £418,765

Ivan Toney – £418,765

Vinícius Júnior – £410,393

Harry Kane – £410,393

Jamal Musiala – £374,771

Darwin Núñez – £368,533

Lionel Messi – £360,876

Virgil van Dijk – £350,000

Rúben Neves – £343,417