When we talk about the highest paid football players, most people immediately think of Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi breaking records with their astronomical salaries. But as someone who's been following global football economics for over a decade, I've noticed the conversation often misses crucial nuances about what "football" actually means in different parts of the world. Just last week, I was analyzing the recent news about Maddie Madayag and Jaja Santiago—now Sachi Minowa—departing their Japan SV.League clubs, and it struck me how differently we value athletes across sports and regions.
Let's start with the obvious giants. Cristiano Ronaldo's current deal with Al-Nassr reportedly earns him around $200 million annually, making him the highest-paid footballer in the world. That's not just salary—it includes massive commercial deals and image rights. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi's Inter Miami contract sits at approximately $60 million per year, though his total earnings with endorsements likely exceed $100 million. Kylian Mbappé's real Madrid deal, which I've been tracking closely, is rumored to be worth about $110 million annually once all bonuses are factored in. These numbers are staggering, but they represent a very specific type of football—the men's game at its absolute elite level.
What fascinates me personally is how these figures compare to other football codes. When I read about Maddie Madayag and Jaja Santiago leaving the Japan SV.League, I couldn't help but contrast their situation. These are elite athletes in their own right—volleyball professionals competing at the highest level in Japan's premier league. Yet I'd be surprised if their compensation even remotely approaches what mid-tier male footballers earn in European leagues. From my research, top female footballers like Sam Kerr earn around $500,000 annually from club salaries, while the average NWSL player makes about $54,000. The disparity is frankly shocking when you consider the similar dedication required.
I remember attending a conference where sports economists presented data showing that the top 10 male footballers earn more combined than all WNBA and NWSL players combined. The exact figure they cited was something like $1.2 billion versus $890 million—though I'd need to verify those numbers. This isn't just about gender either. Different football codes worldwide operate in completely different financial universes. Australian Rules Football stars might earn $1-1.5 million at peak, while NFL quarterbacks routinely command $40-50 million annually. The variation tells us more about media markets and commercial appeal than actual sporting merit.
The departures of Madayag and Santiago/Minowa from Japan's volleyball league highlight another dimension—geographic disparities. A top player in Japan's volleyball circuit might earn $300,000-$500,000 annually from what I've gathered, while a comparable talent in European volleyball could make slightly more. Meanwhile, a mediocre footballer in Saudi Arabia's league might pocket $5-10 million easily these days. The market distortions are becoming increasingly pronounced, and I worry this creates unsustainable ecosystems in sports.
Having consulted with several sports agencies, I've seen firsthand how negotiation strategies differ across sports. Football agents typically secure 20-30% of image rights deals on top of 10% of playing contracts. The real money often comes from commercial partnerships—a top Premier League player might have 15-20 endorsement deals worth millions. Contrast this with volleyball, where even star players might struggle to secure more than 2-3 local endorsements. The business infrastructure simply isn't there yet, which personally frustrates me because these athletes work just as hard.
Looking at emerging trends, I'm particularly interested in how streaming rights might change compensation patterns. The recent $2 billion broadcast deal for English Premier League rights illustrates why there's so much money in men's football. Meanwhile, women's football and other sports codes are just beginning to see meaningful media investments. If I had to predict, I'd say we'll see the first $100 million annual contract for a female footballer within 5-7 years, though some colleagues think I'm being overly optimistic.
What the cases of Madayag and Santiago/Minowa demonstrate is that talent distribution doesn't always follow money. These athletes reached the pinnacle of their sport in Japan's competitive league, yet their financial rewards likely pale compared to what they'd earn in mainstream football. As someone who believes in fair compensation for elite athletes regardless of sport, I find this imbalance increasingly difficult to justify. The market will always dictate value, but perhaps we need to reconsider what we value in sports entertainment.
Ultimately, the conversation about highest paid football players reveals much about our society's priorities. While I marvel at the technical brilliance of players like Kevin De Bruyne earning $30 million annually, I can't help but feel the ecosystem needs rebalancing. The departures from Japan's volleyball league remind us that sporting excellence exists beyond the glare of football's financial spotlight, and perhaps it's time we adjusted our lenses to appreciate—and compensate—all athletic greatness more equitably.
