Senegal: Sadio Mané retains place among World’s top 10 highest-paid players

Forbes has released its 2025 list of the world’s highest-paid footballers, with Senegal’s Sadio Mané maintaining his spot among the global elite.

The Al-Nassr forward ranks eighth in this year’s standings, once again confirming his place among football’s wealthiest stars.

The ranking, dominated by Mané’s Al-Nassr teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, highlights the growing financial influence of Saudi Arabian clubs in world football.

Ronaldo leads the list with earnings estimated at $280 million (€239 million), followed by Lionel Messi, Karim Benzema, Kylian Mbappé, and Erling Haaland.

Despite recent criticism over his performances for the Senegal national team, Mané has rediscovered both his form and confidence.

The 33-year-old forward silenced his critics during the October international break, scoring against South Sudan in a 5-0 victory before netting twice more in the 4-0 win over Mauritania — a result that secured Senegal’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup.

Off the pitch, Mané continues to enjoy immense financial success.

Entering the final year of his Al-Nassr contract, the former Liverpool and Bayern Munich star remains one of the highest earners in the sport.

Forbes estimates his annual income at around $54 million (€46 million) for 2025, slightly down from the €47.9 million he earned the previous year.

Since joining Al-Nassr in 2023, Mané has become a key figure in the Saudi Pro League’s ongoing transformation, both as a player and as a global ambassador for the competition’s growth.

His earnings place him just behind Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and ahead of Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham in the top 10 list.

Below is Forbes’ full list of the ten highest-paid footballers in 2025:

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (POR/Al-Nassr, Saudi Arabia) – $280m (€239m)
2. Lionel Messi (ARG/Inter Miami, USA) – $130m (€111m)
3. Karim Benzema (FRA/Al-Ittihad, Saudi Arabia) – $104m (€89m)
4. Kylian Mbappé (FRA/Real Madrid, Spain) – $95m (€81m)
5. Erling Haaland (NOR/Manchester City, England) – $80m (€68m)
6. Vinícius Jr (BRA/Real Madrid, Spain) – $60m (€51m)
7. Mohamed Salah (EGY/Liverpool, England) – $55m (€47m)
8. Sadio Mané (SEN/Al-Nassr, Saudi Arabia) – $54m (€46m)
9. Jude Bellingham (ENG/Real Madrid, Spain) – $44m (€38m)
10. Lamine Yamal (ESP/Barcelona, Spain) – $43m (€37m)

For Mané, the figures reaffirm not only his enduring star power but also his continuing influence at both club and international level.

Cristiano Ronaldo leads a group of ten footballers collectively earning $945 million this season, but as the sun sets on his legendary career, two young stars are stepping into the spotlight. https://t.co/uxTI69Rz7y

Illustration: Alice Lagarde for Forbes; Photos: Minas… pic.twitter.com/IZAescu8kx

— Forbes (@Forbes) October 16, 2025

Sadio Mané 8e du classement 2025 Forbes des footballeurs les mieux payés du Monde

1) Cristiano Ronaldo (POR/Al-Nassr, ARS) : 280 M$ (239 M€)
2) Lionel Messi (ARG/Inter Miami, USA) : 130 M$ (111 M€)
3) Karim Benzema (Al-Ittihad, ARS) : 104 M$ (89 M€)
4) Kylian Mbappé (Real… pic.twitter.com/FcBnN2DFVI

— wiwsport (@wiwsport) October 16, 2025