Cristiano Ronaldo Takes First Place in Forbes Ranking

Forbes has released its ranking of the highest-earning footballers for the 2026/2027 season, as reported by One.uz.

This ranking, compiled by the world’s most renowned financial publication, takes into account not only club salaries but also income from advertising, personal brands, investments, and other commercial sources. Cristiano Ronaldo, the 41-year-old Portuguese forward playing for Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr, tops the list.

His total annual earnings are projected to reach $300 million, nearly double that of Lionel Messi. Ronaldo’s financial empire: Where does the money come from?

Forbes analysts considered not only Ronaldo’s official club contract but also his off-field commercial deals when calculating his income. His annual salary and bonuses from Al Nassr amount to $250 million.

In addition, he generates another $50 million in net profit from advertising and personal business ventures — including sponsorships, personal brands, and investments. These represent the two main pillars of his financial empire: club earnings and personal brand capital.

Forbes Ranking: Top 10 Highest-Earning Footballers In Forbes’ 2026/2027 season ranking, the highest-earning footballers are as follows: Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr) — $300 million; Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) — $145 million; Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) — $100 million; Erling Haaland (Manchester City) — $85 million; Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid) — $76 million; Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) — $55 million; Sadio Mané (Al Nassr) — $54 million; Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) — $45 million; Harry Kane (Bayern) — $42 million; Mohamed Salah (Trabzonspor) — $40 million.

The list shows that the Saudi Pro League and the US MLS continue to offer substantial salaries to their stars, challenging the dominance of Europe’s elite clubs.

Source: One.uz