Money is often a difficult topic to discuss in global football. In recent years, salaries of footballers has almost spiralled out of control as different clubs across the globe offer incredible salaries to attract the biggest stars.
It is quite hard to pinpoint the exact amount footballers are being paid because contracts come in different shapes and sizes. These documents carry different clauses, bonuses and more. Let’s take a look at some of the highest paid footballers in Europe in 2025.
I recommend grabbing a bucket of popcorn as this list is going to be full of surprises. This list, essentially, features footballers part of European clubs only. Nonetheless, many players born in Europe are part of clubs outside of Europe, including the legend Cristiano Ronaldo.
Highest paid footballers in Europe in 2025
5. Kevin De Bruyne (SSC Napoli)
One of the highest paid footballers in the global scene, Kevin De Bruyne completed his transfer to SSC Napoli in Italy earlier this month after the Belgian midfielder left Manchester City at the end of Premier League season.
De Bruyne has agreed to a deal of a couple of years. Napoli definitely has an option to extend his presence at the club by a further year. He scored four goals and facilitated 7 assists across his 28 appearances in the Premier League last season.
4. Mo Salah (Liverpool)
Mo Salah is an Egyptian professional footballer playing at Liverpool and holding the role of a captain at the Egypt National Team. He has a notable social media presence and is highly sought after by brands across the globe.
Often dubbed the ‘Egyptian King’, Mo Salah is considered one of the best players of his generation. He holds a reputation for his speed and finishing. Salah has also been credited for improving the profile of Liverpool among football fans in Egypt.
3. Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)
Brazilian superstar Vinicius Junior has been an important part of Real Madrid since the age of 18. In this time, he has become an electric scorer, making more than 100 goals in almost 300 matches. He is also an extremely marketable figure.
Vinicius Junior has more than 10 brand deals, including Sony’s PlayStation and Pepsi, supplementing his on-field contract. It has been reported that his annual earnings could be at least £42 million pounds.
2. Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
Erling Haaland is best at a number of things, including putting the ball in the back of the opponent’s net. He plays the role of a striker for Premier League club Manchester City. Erling is famous for his speed, strength, positioning and finishing.
It is not rocket science to assume that Erling Haaland is one of the highest paid footballers in Europe. It has been reported that his annual take home earnings could be £46 million. His off-field numbers might seem less compared to some other players, but are bound to change.
1. Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)
Put your hands up for Kylian Mbappe, a French star and one of the greatest footballers of his time. He is possibly the highest paid footballer in Europe in 2025. His annual income is beyond £70 million, if reports are to be believed.
Kylian Mbapee just recently inherited Real Madrid’s Number 10 jersey from Luka Modric. The club handed the iconic shirt to the French footballer ahead of the 2025-26 season. Mbappe has been listed as the latest Number 10 on the team’s squad list.
