Highest paid players in the world: Kylian Mbappe dethrones Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi

Kylian Mbappe is the highest paid footballer in the world (according to Forbes) – Photo: Victor Velter / Shutterstock.com

The prestigious magazine Forbes has once again published a list of the highest paid footballers in the world. For the first time since 2014, first place is not occupied by Cristiano Ronaldo (38) or Lionel Messi (36).

Surprise in the list of the highest paid footballers in the world: According to the American magazine Forbes, neither Cristiano Ronaldo nor Lionel Messi is on the throne for the first time in nine years. This is now occupied by Kylian Mbappe (24).

Cristiano Ronaldo, who claimed first place last year, has now fallen to third place, while Messi remains in second place. Center forward Erling Haaland (23) is in the ranking for the first time. The Norwegian is in sixth place.

Mbappe cashes in handsomely

Forbes reports that according to economists, Mbappe will earn around $110 million this season, made up of his salary and a bonus from his latest contract extension, plus around $18 million in annual sponsorship income. The Frenchman collected a total of 128 million dollars (the equivalent of just over 131 million euros).

Ronaldo and Messi also have astronomical earnings

Although neither Ronaldo nor Messi are in the top spot, Forbes claims that neither will have to compromise on their earnings as both have signed deals with cryptocurrency companies this year.

The Argentine signed a contract with Socios.com, the Portuguese with Binance. In 2022, Messi will earn $120 million while Ronaldo will bag $100 million, according to the report.

Meanwhile, the top 10 is completed by Neymar ($87 million), Mohamed Salah ($53 million), the mentioned Erling Haaland ($39 million), Robert Lewandowski ($35 million), Eden Hazard ($31 million), Andres Iniesta (30 million dollars) and Kevin de Bruyne ($29 million). Compared to last year, neither Gareth Bale, who has now ended his career, nor Paul Pogba can be found in the top ranks.

Sources used

forbes