Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi lead Forbes’ list of the highest-paid footballers who will play at the 2026 World Cup.
According to estimates Forbesthe ideal eleven of the highest-paid players at the 2026 World Cup together earned around 950 million dollars.
At the top of the list are Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messiwho are mentioned before the tournament as two billionaire footballers. The 2026 World Cup also brings some news: it will take place for the first time 48 national teamsand the tournament will be played in three countries – United States of America, Canada and Mexico.
Ronaldo is convincingly the first
It occupies the first place on the Forbes list Cristiano Ronaldowhose earnings in the last 12 months are estimated at 300 million dollars. From that 235 million dollars relations to revenues in the field, a 65 million dollars to off-field income.
Ronaldo will play in his sixth World Cup with Portugal, still in search of the world championship title, the trophy missing from his rich career.
Messi second, Mbappé third
In the second place is Lionel Messi from the estimated ones 140 million dollars earnings. According to Forbes, the Argentine captain earned po 70 million dollars income on and off the field.
It’s the third Kylian Mbappé s 95 million dollars earnings. The French forward already has considerable experience at world championships, and in 2018 he won the world championship with France.
The highest paid players at the 2026 World Cup.
- Cristiano Ronaldo – 300 million dollars
- Lionel Messi – 140 million dollars
- Kylian Mbappé – 95 million dollars
- Erling Haaland – 80 million dollars
- Vinicius Jr. – 60 million dollars
- Mohamed Salah – 55 million dollars
- Sadio Mané – 54 million dollars
- Jude Bellingham – 44 million dollars
- Lamine Yamal – 43 million dollars
- Harry Kane – 41 million dollars
- Neymar – 38 million dollars
Haaland for the first time on the big stage with Norway
Among the highest paid is Erling Haalandwhose earnings are estimated at 80 million dollars. The Norwegian striker should play in the first World Cup for Norway after 1998.
Speaking about the expectations, Haaland told GQ: There is a lot of pressure on me, but I like the pressure. I would put a lot of pressure on Erling Haaland if I wasn’t Erling Haaland.
Big names and big earnings
The list also includes other big names in world football. Mohamed Salah lead Egypt, Sadio Mané Senegal, while it will Harry Kane with England to try to achieve a better result than second place at the European Championship in 2024.
Among the younger stars, they stand out Jude Bellingham and Lamine Yamalwhile in list i Neymarwho is still recovering from a calf injury, but remains one of the biggest names in Brazilian football.
(www.jabuka.tv)
