Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal has entered Forbes’ 2025 list of the world’s top 10 highest-paid footballers, earning an estimated $43 million this year. He joins a star-studded lineup led by Cristiano Ronaldo, whose total income reached $280 million.
Ronaldo maintains his dominance at the summit, followed by Lionel Messi at $130 million and Karim Benzema trailing at $104 million. Kylian Mbappé ($95 million) and Erling Haaland ($80 million) to round out the list of top five earners.
Other top earning footballers are Vinicius Jr in sixth, Liverpool forward Mohammed Salah in seventh, Senegal’s Sadio Mane in eighth and Jude Bellingham in ninth position.
Yamal’s inclusion is remarkable not just for his age but for what he achieved in 2024-25: 18 goals and 25 assists across all competitions, helping Barcelona secure a domestic treble. His off-field earnings are from deals with Beats by Dre, Adidas, Konami, and Powerade.
Recognising his rising value, Barcelona extended his contract through 2031 and handed him the club’s iconic number 10 shirt, previously worn by club legend, Lionel Messi.
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