The Top 10 Highest Earners in Football vs American Football (2025)

In the global sports economy, few comparisons are as fascinating as football (soccer) versus American football (NFL). Both sports dominate viewership, brand sponsorships, and media coverage in their respective regions — but when it comes to pure athlete income, who comes out on top?

This article takes a deep look at the top 10 highest earners in football and the top 10 highest earners in American football for 2025, comparing contracts, endorsements, and total yearly income to determine which sport truly rewards its stars the most.

The Top 10 Highest Earners in Football (2025)

Football (known as soccer in North America) remains the most lucrative sport in the world, with billions of global fans and limitless sponsorship potential. The top 10 highest earners in football dominate not only their clubs’ wage structures but also international marketing campaigns, luxury brands, and social media influence.

Here’s a breakdown of the top 10 highest earners in football this year:

1. Cristiano Ronaldo – US $280 million
    Even at 40, Ronaldo continues to top the top 10 highest earners in football, with massive income from Al Nassr and global endorsements.
   
   
2. Lionel Messi – US $130 million
    Inter Miami’s global icon remains among the top 10 highest earners in football, thanks to Adidas, Apple TV, and Inter Miami ownership shares.
   
   
3. Karim Benzema – US $104 million
    A huge Saudi Pro League contract propels Benzema to the top tier of football’s income charts.
   
   
4. Kylian Mbappé – US $95 million
    PSG’s star forward continues to redefine the earning potential of young athletes.
   
   
5. Erling Haaland – US $80 million
    Manchester City’s striker is one of the youngest among the top 10 highest earners in football, backed by Nike and fashion brand deals.
   
   
6. Vinícius Júnior – US $60 million
    The Real Madrid star’s blend of speed, youth, and sponsorships keeps him among the elite.
   
   
7. Mohamed Salah – US $55 million
    Liverpool’s Egyptian king remains a global marketing powerhouse.
   
   
8. Sadio Mané – US $54 million
    His Saudi move places him among the top 10 highest earners in football again this year.
   
   
9. Jude Bellingham – US $44 million
    The English midfielder’s rapid rise at Real Madrid proves football’s youth potential.
   
   
10. Lamine Yamal – US $43 million
     Barcelona’s teenage star enters the top 10 highest earners in football, marking a generational shift.
    
    

Combined Earnings:

The top 10 highest earners in football collectively earn around US $1.05 billion, averaging over US $105 million per player — making football the most financially dominant global sport.

The Top 10 Highest Earners in American Football (2025)

While football (soccer) leads globally, American football dominates the North American market, with the NFL generating over US $20 billion annually. The top 10 highest earners in American football benefit from massive player contracts, guaranteed bonuses, and rising endorsement deals, especially among quarterbacks.

Here’s the list of the top 10 highest earners in American football for 2025:

1. Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals) – US $65 million
    His record-breaking contract extension and sponsorships put him atop the top 10 highest earners in American football list.
   
   
2. Justin Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers) – US $60 million
    A young star with a massive contract and endorsement portfolio.
   
   
3. Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens) – US $56 million
    A dual-threat quarterback and one of the top 10 highest earners in American football.
   
   
4. Jalen Hurts (Philadelphia Eagles) – US $54 million
    His historic 2023 contract keeps him among the NFL’s elite earners.
   
   
5. Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs) – US $53 million
    The two-time MVP is a fixture among the top 10 highest earners in American football, bolstered by Adidas and State Farm deals.
   
   
6. Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills) – US $48 million
    Another quarterback powerhouse with both salary and brand deals.
   
   
7. Deshaun Watson (Cleveland Browns) – US $46 million
    Fully guaranteed money from Cleveland secures his spot in the top 10 highest earners in American football.
   
   
8. Dak Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) – US $45 million
    The Cowboys’ franchise quarterback remains a marketing star.
   
   
9. Kirk Cousins (Atlanta Falcons) – US $42 million
    Veteran leadership and new deals keep him among the NFL elite.
   
   
10. Aaron Rodgers (New York Jets) – US $41 million
     Despite injuries, Rodgers still rounds out the top 10 highest earners in American football.
    
    

Combined Earnings:

The top 10 highest earners in American football collectively make around US $510 million, with an average income of US $51 million per player — roughly half that of football’s top stars.

Football vs American Football: The Global Income Comparison

Metric	Football (Soccer)	American Football (NFL)
#1 Earner	Ronaldo – $280M	Burrow – $65M
#10 Earner	Yamal – $43M	Rodgers – $41M
Combined Top 10	≈ $1.05B	≈ $510M
Average per Player	$105M	$51M
Global Fanbase	~5 Billion	~400 Million
Salary Cap	None	Strict
Endorsement Range	Global	Primarily U.S.

While the top 10 highest earners in American football make impressive salaries by global standards, the top 10 highest earners in football more than double their total income, largely due to broader international reach and unrestricted salary systems.

Why Football Outpaces American Football Financially

1. Global Audience Size

Football has over 5 billion fans worldwide, compared to around 400 million for American football. That difference fuels much higher sponsorship deals and player recognition. The top 10 highest earners in football benefit from a global ecosystem of club leagues, endorsements, and international tournaments.

2. No Salary Cap

Unlike the NFL’s strict salary cap, football clubs can spend freely, leading to astronomical contracts, especially in Europe and Saudi Arabia. This freedom allows the top 10 highest earners in football to outpace even the NFL’s biggest stars.

3. Endorsement Power

NFL players, even the top 10 highest earners in American football, are mainly U.S.-centric celebrities. In contrast, the top 10 highest earners in football — like Ronaldo and Messi — enjoy worldwide sponsorships from brands such as Nike, Adidas, Gucci, and Binance.

4. Career Longevity

Footballers often enjoy long careers across multiple leagues, from Europe to Asia to North America. American football players, especially quarterbacks, face shorter peak earnings windows due to injuries and roster changes.

5. Cultural Reach

Football is woven into every culture — from Europe to Africa to South America. The top 10 highest earners in football are recognized and marketed in nearly every major economy. Meanwhile, the top 10 highest earners in American football primarily resonate within North America.

Summary: Football Still Leads, But NFL Stars Are Closing the Gap

Both football and American football are global money machines — but their income structures differ greatly. Football stars earn huge wages and endorsements through an open-market system, while the NFL’s top players benefit from structured, guaranteed contracts and U.S. media dominance.

Sport	Combined Top 10 Income	Average Per Player	Salary Cap	Global Appeal
Football (Soccer)	≈ $1.05 Billion	$105M	None	Worldwide
American Football (NFL)	≈ $510 Million	$51M	Yes	Primarily U.S.

Final Verdict

The top 10 highest earners in American football are among the best-paid athletes in U.S. sports, but globally, the top 10 highest earners in football reign supreme. The worldwide reach, absence of salary restrictions, and enormous sponsorship opportunities ensure that football’s elite — led by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi — remain the highest-paid athletes on Earth.