Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to the top of world football’s weekly salary rankings, while longtime rival Lionel Messi has slipped to 13th, a striking shift in a financial rivalry that has defined the sport for nearly two decades. Please confirm details with a trusted source.
Salary data published by Capology and cited by Planet Football on Wednesday shows Ronaldo earning an estimated £3.42 million per week at Al‑Nassr, a figure that underscores Saudi Arabia’s escalating influence in the global transfer market. The Portuguese forward has repeatedly topped earnings charts since his Real Madrid peak, and his latest position reflects how the Saudi Pro League has reshaped elite football economics.
Karim Benzema, who joined Al‑Ittihad after leaving Real Madrid, ranks second with £2.01 million per week, highlighting the league’s aggressive investment strategy. Six Saudi‑based players now sit among the world’s top 15 earners, a development reminiscent of earlier financial disruptions, such as Serie A’s dominance in the 1990s and the Premier League’s surge after the 2000s broadcasting boom.
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland leads the Premier League with £525,000 per week, continuing England’s tradition of hosting some of the sport’s highest‑paid stars since the league’s commercial transformation in the early 21st century. Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé ranks sixth at £512,992, while Vinícius Júnior and Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane share ninth place on £410,393.
Messi, who once topped global salary charts during his Barcelona era, re‑enters the list in 13th place following his move to Inter Miami, where he reportedly earns £360,876 per week. His drop reflects a broader shift in financial gravity away from Europe and toward emerging markets, particularly the United States and Saudi Arabia. The rankings also include Jamal Musiala, Darwin Núñez, Virgil van Dijk and Rúben Neves, illustrating how top‑tier wages now span multiple leagues rather than being concentrated in Europe’s traditional powerhouses.
