Cristiano Ronaldo has firmly established himself as the highest-paid footballer, earning over twice as much as Lionel Messi, according to the latest Forbes data.

Notably, former Liverpool star Sadio Mane and England’s rising talent Jude Bellingham have also secured spots in the world’s top 10 earners.

The Forbes 2025 wealth rankings highlight Ronaldo’s impressive earnings, totaling $280 million (£220 million). A significant portion, $230 million, comes from his on-field contributions at Al Nassr.

This week, the 40-year-old forward added two more goals to his record during Portugal’s 2-2 match against Hungary in World Cup qualifiers, pushing his total to 41 goals.

This achievement places him above the previous record holder, Carlos Ruiz of Guatemala, who held the record with 39 goals.

Cristiano Ronaldo remains football’s undisputed top earner, raking in more than double Lionel Messi ‘s salary according to Forbes

Ronaldo (pictured with partner Georgina Rodriguez) enjoys a lavish lifestyle supported by his staggering £500m net worth

Messi’s earns $130m with Inter Miami, though the Argentine’s $70m off-field income still eclipses all rivals

Ronaldo’s great rival, Messi, is in third with 36 World Cup qualifying goals for Argentina. Ali Daei of Iran is below him in fourth on 35 goals with veteran Poland forward Robert Lewandowski fifth on 32.

Ronaldo took his overall career goals total to 948, with 143 of those coming for his national side. He is the leading scorer in football history and Messi trails him on 875.

Messi is also trailing the Portuguese in Forbes’ report, coming in a distant second on $130m with Inter Miami, though the Argentine’s $70m off-field income still eclipses all rivals.

Bellingham, 22, is a new entrant at ninth with an estimated $44m (£34.6m) in total income, split between $29m in salary and $15m from sponsorships and commercial deals. 

He sits above Barcelona’s 18-year-old prodigy Lamine Yamal on $43m (£33m).

The winger, who narrowly missed out on the Ballon d’Or to Ousmane Dembele last month, signed a new six-year deal with the Blaugrana in the summer and expanded his list of commercial partners after another standout campaign. 

Mane, meanwhile, surprisingly returns to the list in eighth place with $54m following his move to Saudi Arabia, where his $50m playing contract at Al Nassr keeps him among the game’s highest-paid names.

Forbes’ annual rankings continue to be dominated by established figures, with Karim Benzema ($104m), Kylian Mbappe ($95m) and Erling Haaland ($80m) rounding out the top five. 

Ronaldo showed off the latest addition to his extensive supercar collection in January 2024 – a dark blue £400,000 Ferrari

Erling Haaland posed with a flat-cap on his head while carrying a £9,500 Birkin bag by his side

Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr follows on $60m, ahead of Mohamed Salah on $55m.

The report notes a generational shift as the average age of the top 10 falls below 30 for the first time in five years, reflecting the rise of players like Bellingham and Yamal.

Their inclusion signals football’s new financial era, where younger stars are commanding record salaries and commercial reach.

Bellingham’s rise comes during a challenging international spell, after being left out of Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for October’s fixtures.

Tuchel argued his standards were ‘non-negotiable’, in what many viewed as a pointed message to the Real Madrid midfielder.

‘One hundred per cent,’ Tuchel said. ‘If we invite them, we are sure they will buy in, or we will not invite them. 

Why would we? This is, how do you say, a non-negotiable.’

The England manager maintained he plans to speak with Bellingham before naming his next squad. ‘I guess so, why not?’ Tuchel said. 

The report notes a generational shift as the average age of the top 10 falls below 30 for the first time in five years, reflecting the rise of players like Jude Bellingham and Lamine Yamal

‘Of course, he’s an important player, he’s a big player. I will speak to a lot of players, also to the guys who are not in camp.’

Tuchel reflected that his current squad ‘have the reward and they feel the reward’, adding: ‘It’s not a punishment. 

‘When I text them or I speak to them, everyone is eager to come back. This is how it has to be.’