Hold up, soccer fans. Cristiano Ronaldo is projected to pocket a mind-blowing $300 million this season, making him the world’s highest-paid player for 2026-27. That’s according to Sportico’s Justin Birnbaum, and it’s a number that’s just begging for a double-take. This isn’t just about Ronaldo being at the top, it’s about setting a whole new bar for earnings in the beautiful game.
Ronaldo Just Keeps Breaking the Bank
This guy is on another level, seriously. Ronaldo’s projected $300 million in combined on-field and off-field earnings for the 2026-27 season is an absolutely wild figure. Get this: it’s double what Lionel Messi is projected to pull in at $150 million, who’s sitting at number two on the list. And it’s not a fluke, either. Birnbaum’s report also noted Ronaldo was Sportico’s highest-paid athlete back in 2025. What’s even crazier is that his $250 million in on-field earnings this season alone is more than any other player is making in *total* combined earnings. A huge chunk of that comes from his Saudi club Al Nassr, in a deal that Birnbaum reported “is believed to be subsidized by commercial agreements orchestrated by the club.” That’s the kind of money that makes you wonder what’s even possible next.
The Other Superstars Who Are Raking It In
While Ronaldo leads the charge, the usual suspects are still stacking their cash. Messi, of course, is set to receive $75 million from Inter Miami this season, a deal that makes him the highest-paid player in the MLS. Then there’s Kylian Mbappé, joining Ronaldo and Messi as the only other player projected to earn over $100 million. Mbappé is expected to collect $70 million in on-field earnings as he heads into his third season with Real Madrid. Real Madrid’s talent doesn’t stop there, either, with Vinicius Jr. and Jude Bellingham also making Sportico’s list. Barcelona star Lamine Yamal got a nod, too, alongside Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr teammate Sadio Mané, who’s projected for $50 million in on-field earnings. You’ve also got Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, Harry Kane (playing in the German professional league), and Mohamed Salah (in the Turkish professional league) making the cut. It’s a who’s who of global soccer, and they’re all bringing home serious dough.
What These Numbers Really Mean
So, what are we looking at here? These earning estimates from Sportico don’t even include investment income, taxes, or agent fees, which tells you how much bigger the real numbers could be. Interestingly, the total amount earned by these highest-paid players only went up one percent from last season to $935 million. Most of these stars are sticking with the same clubs they played for last season, with the notable exception of Salah, who signed a two-year deal with Trabzonspor this offseason. It’ll be fascinating to see if this is the new normal for player salaries or if these figures will just keep climbing, pushing the limits of what we thought possible in professional soccer.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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