Highest paid footballers of 2022 revealed with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi BOTH beaten to top spot
KYLIAN MBAPPE is the highest-paid player in world football.
The Frenchman, 23, snubbed a transfer to Real Madrid earlier this year to sign a new deal with Paris Saint-Germain worth a whopping £500million.
Mbappe’s bumper contract – which will keep him at the Parc des Princes until June 2025 – has seen him become the highest-paid footballer in the world, according to Sportico.
On top of the £91m-a-year he earns from PSG, the striker also receives around £17.3m in endorsements.
He is currently sponsored by some of the world’s biggest brands including Nike, Hublot, Electronic Arts, Oakley and Christian Dior.
Mbappe’s meteoric rise at Monaco quickly caught the eyes of the world, making him one of the most sought-after players in Europe.
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PSG signed him for a huge £166m in 2018 and he has since gone on to score an incredible total of 181 goals in 225 games.
The second-highest earner in world football is Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Manchester United forward has one of the most recognisable names in sport, so it’s no surprise that around £52m of his total income is from endorsements.
In fact, his sponsorships – including Nike, Herbalife and Tag Heuer – generate the majority of his income.
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Ronaldo is also contracted to an annual salary of £45.9m at Man Utd, making him the Premier League’s highest-paid player.
Seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi earns slightly less than his rival with a total annual income of £95.3m, again, with a substantial proportion generated by various sponsorship deals.
PSG have also splashed the cash on Brazilian winger Neymar, who joined the club from Barcelona in 2017.
The 30-year-old earns £78.9m-a-year having signed a long-term deal with the Parisians last summer.
SALAH TOP FIVE
Earning a substantial amount less than the top four on this list is Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.
The winger was on the verge of leaving Anfield in the summer, but the Reds persuaded him to stay by doubling his wages.
He now racks up an annual salary of £34.2m, making him the highest earner at the club.
Ex-Chelsea star Eden Hazard makes a total of £27.1m-a-year despite receiving minimal game time.
Hazard was limited to just 23 club appearances across all competitions last season and during that time he scored just once – a far cry from his red-hot form at Stamford Bridge.
Despite not currently residing in Europe, Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta is still one of the world’s highest-paid players.
The midfield maestro is a regular name on the teamsheet for J1 League side Vissel Kobe, where he earns £26m each campaign.
Premier League duo Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne are both on a similar wage packet with the England international racking up an annual total of £25.5m.
Man City midfielder De Bruyne earns slightly less with £25.1m, but he is still the highest-paid star at the Etihad.
Last in the top ten, but still with a huge salary, is World Cup winner Antoine Griezmann.
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The Frenchman is currently on loan with Atletico Madrid from Barcelona, with the former understood to be paying his wages.
He earns £23.8m-a-year with £4.8m of that total generated from endorsements.