Football isn't just a sport, it's big business, a global one at that, and one worth billions of dollars. The biggest stars are making massive weekly wages as a result of club contracts, bonuses, and commercial deals. Fans are curious to know: who are the best paid footballers in the world per week?

We have gathered the absolute best top 10 highest paid footballers per week in 2026 in this post, in simple clear facts. Whether you're a fan, blogger, or simply curious, this guide is all you need.

Why Footballers Earn So Much

Before we jump in on the list, let's understand why the heights of the salaries are so high.

• Global fanbase: Football has billions of fans in the world
• TV rights money: Clubs make huge sums of money from broadcasting deals
• Sponsorships: Brands pay the top players to promote products
• Club success: Winning trophies raises revenue

Top players bring value on and off the pitch, therefore, clubs are willing to pay big money on a weekly basis.

Highest Paid Footballers Per Week Top 10 (2026)

Here are the highest earners on the basis of weekly wages (se approximate figures including bonuses):

1. Cristiano Ronaldo - PS3.4 Million pound a Week

Cristiano Ronaldo still top the list. His departure for Saudi transformed the face of football finance forever.

• Weekly Salary: PS3.4M
• Club: Al Nassr
• Why he makes so much money: Global brand, huge following, commercial power

Even at the early stage of his career, Ronaldo is a financial powerhouse.

2. Lionel Messi - PS2.6 Million per week

Lionel Messi still receives huge amounts of wages from the sponsorship and league deals.

• Weekly Salary: PS2.6M
• Club: Inter Miami
• Key factor: Commercial deals with Global brands & MLS growth

The power of Messi in the United States has made his value even higher.

3. Neymar Jr - PS2.5 Million per Week

Neymar's transfer to Saudi Arabia put him back to being among the highest earners.

• Weekly Salary: PS2.5M
• Club: Al Hilal
• Why: Skill, Marketability, Social Media reach

He is still one of the most marketable football players.

4. Karim Benzema - PS2.1 Million per Week

After leaving Europe, Benzema landed a huge deal.

• Weekly Salary: PS2.1M
• Club: Al Ittihad
• Reason: Experience, Ballon d'Or award, leadership

His reputation helped him to get one of the biggest contracts ever.

5. Kylian Mbappe - PS1.5 Million a Week

Mbappe is the most highly paid player in Europe.

• Weekly Salary: PS1.5M
• Club: Real Madrid (move to current era assumed)
• Strength: Young, fast and very marketable

He is the face of the future of football earnings.

6. Erling Haaland - PS900,000 per Week

Haaland is also one of the best goal scorers in the world.

• Weekly Salary: PS900K
• Club: Manchester City
• Why: Goal scoring ability and consistency

His bonuses and performance pay add to his total income.

7. Mohamed Salah - PS850,000 per Week

Salah is still one of the highest earners in the Premier League.

• Weekly Salary: PS850K
• Club: Liverpool
• Strength: Steadiness and worldwide fanbase

He is also one of the richest footballers in Africa.

8. Kevin De Bruyne - PS800,000 per Week

De Bruyne is recognized for his passing and leadership.

• Weekly Salary: PS800K
• Club: Manchester City
• Why: Key role in team success

He is one of the most precious midfielders in football.

9. Harry Kane - PS750,000 per Week

Kane's move brought his salary up considerably.

• Weekly Salary: PS750K
• Club: Bayern Munich
• Strength: Score goal setting, leadership

He is still performing at the highest level.

10. Robert Lewandowski - PS700,000 per Week

Lewandowski is still one of the best-paid men even after his age.

• Weekly Salary: PS700K
• Club: Barcelona
• Reason: Experience and record of scoring

His consistence makes him valuable

Summary Table: The Top-Paid Footballers Each Week

What Affects the Weekly Salaries?

The amount of income footballers make is influenced by a number of factors:

Skill Level

Top players whose performance is too good earn more.

Popularity

Players with millions of fans bring in larger deals.

Club Wealth

Rich clubs are able to pay higher wages.

League Growth

New leagues (like Saudi Pro League) have massive salaries.

Sponsorship Deals

Endorsements create additional overall earnings.

How Football Salaries Compare to Other Other Sports

Footballers are one of the highest-paid sportspeople around but how do they compare?

• NBA players: Very high and less number of global fans
• NFL players: Big contracts, shorter life
• Golf/Tennis: Earnings Depends more on wins

Football stands out with regards to the global reach and constant exposure of the sport.

The Rise Of Saudi Pro League Salaries

One major reason for these salaries is the emergence of Saudi football.

• Clubs provide tax free salaries
• Huge investments in players
• Aim to compete globally

This move has altered the nature of football contracts around the world.

Future of Football Salaries

Salaries are likely to continue to increase. Here's why:

• More TV deals
• Growing fan base in Asia, America
• Increased Sponsorship Money

Young stars like Mbappe and Haaland may soon make the top list.

Top 7 Most FAQ's on Highest Paid Footballers Per Week

1. Who is the highest paid footballer a week 2026?

Cristiano Ronaldo is the highest paid footballer currently playing, earning around PS3.4 million a week.

2. How Much Does Lionel Messi Make Each Week?

Lionel Messi earns on the order of PS2.6 million per week, including the money he earns in bonuses and from sponsorship.

3. Why do they pay so much money for footballers?

Footballers generate huge revenue through ticket sales, TV rights and sponsorships made them very valuable.

4. Which is the highest salary paying league?

The Saudi Pro League currently has the highest salaries because of huge investments in money.

5. Who is the highest paid young footballer?

Kylian Mbappe is the most highly paid youngster, receiving around PS1.5 million a week.

6. Do the footballers only earn salaries?

No. They also gain from endorsements, bonuses and business ventures.

7. Will football salaries be rising in the future?

Yes. With increasing interest and investment from the world level, football salaries are likely to increase even more.

Final Thoughts

The top 10 highest paid footballers per week indicates how football has become a business. Players are not only athletes - they are brands.

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