Sadio Mane ranked seventh among football’s highest-paid players

Sadio Mane has been ranked the seventh highest-paid footballer in the world, with Forbes estimating his 2026 earnings at $54m (£?; about 31bn FCFA).

The Senegal international, who plays for Al Nassr, was included in the list published by the American magazine on 17 October 2026. His position places him among the game’s leading earners, both for his performances on the pitch and his commercial appeal away from it.

At 34, Mane remains in the top 10 despite increasing competition among football’s most highly paid players. He is ranked ahead of Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane and Mohamed Salah, while Lamine Yamal is sixth on $55m – only $1m more than the former Liverpool forward.

Ronaldo leads Forbes list

Cristiano Ronaldo is some distance ahead of the rest of the field, with estimated earnings of $300m.

Lionel Messi is second on $145m, followed by Kylian Mbappe on $100m. Erling Haaland occupies fourth place with $85m, while Vinicius Junior is fifth on $76m.

Yamal completes the top six before Mane’s name appears at number seven. Bellingham is eighth with $45m, Harry Kane ninth on $42m and Mohamed Salah 10th with $40m.

Forbes’ top 10 highest-paid footballers in 2026 are:

1. Cristiano Ronaldo – Al Nassr – $300m 2. Lionel Messi – Inter Miami – $145m 3. Kylian Mbappe – Real Madrid – $100m 4. Erling Haaland – Manchester City – $85m 5. Vinicius Junior – Real Madrid – $76m 6. Lamine Yamal – FC Barcelona – $55m 7. Sadio Mane – Al Nassr – $54m 8. Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid – $45m 9. Harry Kane – Bayern Munich – $42m 10. Mohamed Salah – Trabzonspor – $40m

Mane earns $50m from football

The breakdown of Mane’s income shows that $50m comes from his sporting activities. A further $4m is attributed to commercial partnerships and other work away from football.

The figures underline the scale of Mane’s international profile. His reputation has been shaped by his years at Liverpool, as well as his achievements with Senegal, and continues to attract supporters and commercial partners beyond his home country.

A two-time Africa Cup of Nations champion with Senegal, Mane is the highest-ranked Senegalese player in the Forbes standings. His seventh-place finish represents further recognition of a career that has established him among the most prominent figures in world football.

He remains at Al Nassr, where he is part of a Saudi Arabian division that has attracted a number of high-profile international players. The club’s next fixture is scheduled to be against Al Faisaly in the 10th round of the Saudi Arabian championship.