Top 20 highest paid players in Europe revealed

Henry

Jul 27, 2024

Top 20 highest paid players in Europe revealed with Kylian Mbappe only third and shock name top

Europe's Top-Earning Footballers: A Surprising Leader in Football Finances

The realm of professional football is synonymous with astronomical salaries, yet the identities of Europe's highest-paid players often remain shrouded in speculation. While many anticipate the usual suspects to dominate the top echelons, the recently unveiled list of 2023/24 earnings has unveiled a surprising leader.

Despite the global recognition of footballers as high-earners, relatively few ascend to the pinnacle of the world's highest-paid athletes. This distinction typically belongs to figures outside European football. Nonetheless, the top tiers of the Champions League still boast players commanding extraordinary financial packages.

A Shift at the Summit

Until recently, Kylian Mbappe reigned supreme as Europe's most lucrative footballer. His tenure at Paris Saint-Germain yielded an annual salary approximating £60 million, excluding performance-based bonuses. However, his transfer to Real Madrid has precipitated a dramatic change in the salary hierarchy.

The unexpected frontrunner for the title of Europe's highest-paid player is Barcelona's midfield maestro, Frenkie de Jong. His annual earnings at the Camp Nou amount to a staggering £31.5 million, eclipsing the competition. Following closely behind is his teammate, the prolific striker Robert Lewandowski, who secures just over £28 million per year.

Mbappe's earnings have contracted significantly since his move to Spain, positioning him in third place with an annual salary of £26.3 million. England captain Harry Kane, now at Bayern Munich, occupies the fourth spot with earnings of approximately £21 million.

The Elite Earnings Bracket

The subsequent positions are occupied by a constellation of footballing superstars. Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland claim the fifth and sixth spots respectively, with salaries of £20.8 million and £19.5 million. It's worth noting that Haaland's income is atypical, as his bonus structure yields earnings of £24.7 million, surpassing his base salary.

David Alaba of Real Madrid and Juventus' Dusan Vlahovic share the seventh and eighth positions with annual incomes of £18.9 million and £18.7 million, respectively. The Premier League is represented in the top ten by Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and Manchester United's former midfielder Casemiro, both earning £18.2 million per year.

Goalkeeper and Rising Stars

Bayern Munich's Manuel Neuer secures the title of the world's highest-paid goalkeeper with earnings of £17.6 million, a mantle previously held by David de Gea. The prodigious talents of Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior have translated into lucrative contracts, with both players earning £17.5 million per year.

The Complete Top 20