Kylian Mbappe has overtaken Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as the highest-paid footballer thanks to his new mega deal with Paris Saint-Germain.
The 23-year-old will earn an estimated $128 million in the 2022/23 season, according to Forbes.
While Ronaldo and Messi crossed the $100 million annual earnings barrier only in 2018, when both were in their 30s, Mbappe did so at just 23 years of age.
Forbes estimates that Mbappe will earn $110 million from his new three-year deal with PSG plus a massive signing bonus after the French giants went all out to prevent their superstar from joining Real Madrid.
In addition, the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner also pockets another $18 million in annual endorsements from the likes of Nike, Dior, Hublot, Oakley and Panini.
Mbappe’s rise means that Messi and Ronaldo are not the top-earning football duo since 2014, even though both of them still pocket $100 million and $110 million, respectively.
Messi is expected to earn $110 million, $55 million from his own PSG contract and another $55 million from endorsements, while Ronaldo will earn $100 million, with $60 million coming endorsements.
In total, the 10 highest-paid football stars are expected to earn $652 million, which is 11% more than last season.
Full top 10 of the highest-paid football stars:
- Kylian Mbappe – $128 million
- Lionel Messi – $110 milion
- Cristiano Ronaldo – $100 million
- Neymar – $87 million
- Mohamed Salah – $53 million
- Erling Haaland – $39 million
- Robert Lewandowski – $35 million
- Eden Hazard – $31 million
- Andres Iniesta – $30 million
- Kevin De Bruyne – $29 million
Note: The Forbes ranking of the world’s highest-paid soccer players represents the combined total of on-field earnings for the 2022/23 season, including base salaries and bonuses, and off-field estimates that reflect annual cash from endorsements, licensing, appearances and memorabilia, as well as businesses operated by the players.
