Middle East’s Saudi Pro League Dominates Forbes’ Top 10 Footballers List

The latest annual report by Forbes financial magazine ranking the world’s 10 highest-paid footballers has shown that out of the 10 footballers on the list, four Players from the middle east’s Saudi pro league dominated the ranking.

The region’s growing influence in football has been evident in its significant spending, which has attracted top talents like Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr), Neymar (Al Hilal), N’Golo Kante (Al Ittihad), and Sadio Mane (Al-Nassr) Karim Benzema (Al Ittihad) among others to the Saudi Pro League.

Pulse Sports reports that the region’s increasing interest in football has been enabled by entities like the Public Investment Fund, which owns Saudi clubs like Al-Nassr, Al Hilal, Al Ittihad, and Newcastle United.

The Public Investment Fund is owned by the Saudi Arabian government and is among the largest sovereign wealth funds in the world. It is currently the richest football club owner in the world – boasting of assets worth over US$700 billion.

According to Forbes, details of the footballers’ earnings were calculated using their on-field salaries this season and their annual earnings from endorsements, memorabilia and other business endeavors. On-field payments include base salaries, bonuses and, in some cases, club-based image rights agreements.

Off-field estimates include cash made from endorsements annually, licensing, appearances and memorabilia, as well as businesses operated by the players.

“With certain players, such as Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, club or league sponsors are believed to subsidize their contracts, and that value is accounted for in the on-field estimates.” Forbes noted.

Investment incomes such as interest payments or dividends and transfer fees are excluded from the calculations.

The top 10 highest-paid footballers in 2024 are listed below:

While the Saudi Pro League took four spots, England’s star-studded Premier League only boasted of three spots while Spain’s La Liga nabbed two spots. An unlikely addition, the US major league made a major appearance as Lionel Messi represented fully.

The Portuguese superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo led the list for a record sixth time in the last decade with his $285 million annual earnings including an estimated $65 million off the field, beating the $260 million registered in the 2023 ranking.

Forbes reports that among all athletes traced to as far back as 1990, the only individual that has surpassed that figure in a single year while still active in his sport was boxer, Floyd Mayweather.

Argentina’s Messi took the second spot overall with an estimated $135 million earning before taxes and agent fees—including $75 million off the field.