Cristiano Ronaldo continues to set new financial benchmarks in football as he dominates the earnings charts at Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League. The Portuguese superstar, who made waves with his move to the Middle East, now commands an unprecedented weekly salary of £3.17 million ($4m), translating to over £160m ($210m) annually.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid icon's journey to becoming one of the world's highest-paid athletes reflects the growing financial muscle of Saudi Arabian football. At Al Nassr, Ronaldo's earnings dwarf those of his teammates, with his weekly wage being more than five times that of second-highest earner Sadio Mane. The wage hierarchy at the club sees former Premier League stars making up a significant portion of the top earners, with ex-Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte, Marcelo Brozovic, and recent signing Jhon Duran rounding out the top five.
The financial dominance extends beyond club boundaries, with the Saudi Pro League now home to the world's five highest-paid footballers. Ronaldo's earnings are particularly striking when compared to his contemporaries in Europe's elite leagues. His salary dwarfs that of Premier League's highest earner Kevin De Bruyne, who receives £20.8 million per year. The contrast becomes even more apparent when considering Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski's £27.47 million annual salary or Bayern Munich's Harry Kane at £20.6 million.
Perhaps most notable is the comparison with Lionel Messi, who earns a relatively modest £9.39 million ($12m) annually as the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami. This stark contrast highlights the unprecedented financial power wielded by the Saudi Pro League, where Ronaldo's earnings are double those of fellow superstars Karim Benzema and Neymar, who share the second spot in the league's earnings hierarchy.
For many aspiring footballers dreaming of professional careers, the financial rewards exemplified by Ronaldo's contract represent the pinnacle of sporting success, combining the thrill of playing in front of packed stadiums with extraordinary monetary compensation.
