Ronaldo earns more than twice as much as Messi in Forbes’ 2026 Football Rich List

Forbes have released their football rich list for 2026, naming the highest-earning footballers in the world this year.

The American business magazine has estimated the pre-tax earnings of world football's biggest names, based on income on and off the pitch.

Cristiano Ronaldo leads by a considerable distance at the summit, with estimated 2026 earnings of $300m.

With a lucrative contract in cash-rich Saudi Arabia and numerous leading endorsement deals, Ronaldo's estimated earnings make him the highest-earning sportsperson on the planet, ahead of Mexican boxer Canelo Alvarez.

Lionel Messi is third overall and second among footballers, though his $145m estimate is less than half of Ronaldo's pay-packet.

Kylian Mbappe is the only other footballer with estimated earnings in excess of $100m. Only one Premier League player makes the rich list, with Erling Haaland fourth in the rankings.

Harry Kane was this week named winner of the Ballon d'Or, awarded to the finest footballer on the planet. However, the Bayern Munich striker ranks only ninth here, behind England teammate Jude Bellingham.

Mohamed Salah, who terminated his contract at Liverpool in the summer to sign for Trabzonspor, concludes the Forbes top 10.

Forbes' 10 Highest-Earning Footballers of 2026