Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Mbappe Top Sportico List of 2026's Highest-Paid Soccer Players

Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to remain the world's highest-paid soccer player heading into the 2026-27 season.

Ronaldo is projected to earn a projected $300 million this season in combined on-field and off-field earnings, according to a report published Tuesday by Sportico's Justin Birnbaum.

That is double the total earnings projected for Lionel Messi, who ranks second on the list with a projected $150 million in earnings this season, per Birnbaum.

Ronaldo's spot on top of the list is nothing new. He was also listed as the world's highest-paid athlete by Sportico in 2025.

Ronaldo is set to receive more in on-field earnings this season ($250 million) than any other player is making in combined earnings, according to Birnbaum.

That's in large part because of the $250 million Ronaldo is set to receive from his Saudi club Al Nassr, which Birnbaum reported "is believed to be subsidized by commercial agreements orchestrated by the club."

Messi is set to receive $75 million from Inter Miami this season, per Birnbaun, in a deal that makes him the highest paid player in the MLS.

Kylian Mbappé joins Ronaldo and Messi as the only other player set to projected to earn more than $100 million next season. He is expected to collect $70 million in on-field earnings as he heads into his third season with Real Madrid, per Birnbaum.

Two other Real Madrid players made Sportico's list in Vinicius Jr. and Jude Bellingham, while Barcelona star Lamine Yamal also ranked among the highest-paid players in the sport.

Ronaldo's Al-Nassr teammate Sadio Mané also made the list thanks to $50 million in projected on-field earnings by Spotrac.

Other players represented on Sportico's list included Manchester City's Erling Haaland as well as Harry Kane and Mohamed Salah, who are playing in German and Turkish professional leagues, respectively.

The earning estimates shared by Sportico do not include investment income, taxes or agents' fees, Birnbaum noted.

The total season-long amount earned by these highest-paid players increased just one percent from last season to $935 million, according to Birnbaum. He noted most of these stars are returning to the same clubs they played with last season, outside of Salah signing a two-year deal this offseason with Trabzonspor.