Cristiano Ronaldo held the title of football’s de facto highest earner for a long time. No other player in international football could hope to compete with his enormous contracts and rich advertising partnerships.
His dominance is being challenged not only on the field, but also off it, by a new generation of talent.
This is due to Kylian Mbappe topping Sportico’s list of highest-paid footballers in 2022 for the first time ever.
This is somewhat expected given that Paris Saint-Germain just offered the Frenchman an absurd contract extension in an effort to convince him to remain with the team.
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Several Premier League players are included on Sportico’s list of the top 10 earners in football right now.
Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City, who made $25.5 million in 2022 based on B/R Football’s analysis, is just ahead of Antoine Griezmann, who is ranked in 10th position.
Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe, both of PSG, join in the celebration. Picture: Alamy
Raheem Sterling, who just beats out his old teammate for eighth place on the list, adds more representation.
Then, quite shockingly, we learn that Andres Iniesta is ranked seventh. The iconic Spaniard earns a staggering $23 million per year with the Japanese club Vissel Kobe, and he also receives $7 million in endorsement money.
Eden Hazard of Real Madrid is in sixth place, while Mohamed Salah of Liverpool, who recently extended his contract with the team, is in fifth.
According to Sportico, the Egyptian makes $39.5 million a year from his contract alone and an additional $15 million from endorsements.
The figures start to seem a little ridiculous after Salah.
In fact, PSG players make up three of the top four earners, with Neymar coming in second.
The Brazilian reportedly earned $40 million in endorsements alone this year, which is only surpassed by his $56 million club pay.
While Ronaldo’s pay is higher than Messi’s, the Portuguese superstar drops to second place as a result of endorsements despite being Messi’s teammate and ranking third on the list.
Despite some recent setbacks, the 37-year-old continued to be a commercial powerhouse, earning $12 million more in endorsements this year than any other player.
However, when it comes to pure earning potential this year, not even Ronaldo can match Mbappe.
While the 23-year-old only made a pitiful $20 million from endorsements, he tops the list this year because to his staggering $105 million salary, which is double Ronaldo’s.
With a weekly salary of almost $1.09 million (£1 million) and a $109 million (£ 100 million) signing bonus, Mbappe has already had a very successful financial year.
In May, he promised to stay with PSG in France, saying: “I am extremely glad to stay at PSG in France.”
“I’ve always stated that Paris is my home, and I hope we can play football and win championships together in the future.
“I appreciate everything. I’m hoping to keep doing things the way I like to with all of you. and triumph together! Many thanks.