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Since Cristiano Ronaldo's groundbreaking move to Al-Nassr in December 2022, the Saudi Pro League has become an attractive destination for several high-profile European stars. His transfer acted as a channel, inspiring many big names to follow in his footsteps and head to the Middle East.
Top players like Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante, Roberto Firmino, and Sadio Mane have made the switch. While the appeal of a new challenge may have played a minor role in their decisions, the well-paid contracts were undoubtedly the main motivation. Former Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves even admitted that in December 2023, though he also acknowledged that the league's ambitious project influenced his choice.
As the biggest star in the Saudi Pro League, Cristiano Ronaldo earns an astronomical weekly age, with his presence drawing global attention to the league's expanding brand. But who else comes close to him in terms of earnings?
20 Highest-Paid Footballers in Saudi Pro League history:
| PLAYERS |
GROSS PER WEEK (EUROS) |
GROSS PER YEAR (EUROS) |
SAUDI CLUBS | POSITION |
| 1. Cristiano Ronaldo | 3,846,154 | 200,000,000 | Al-Nassr | Centre Forward |
| 2. Karim Benzema | 1,923,077 | 100,000,000 | Al-lttihad | Centre Forward |
| 3. Riyad Mahrez | 1,003,846 | 52,000,000 | Al-Ahli | Right Wing |
| 4. Sadio Mane | 769,231 | 40,000,000 | Al-Nassr | Left Wing |
| 5. Kalidou Koulibaly | 667,308 | 34,700,000 | Al-Hilal | Centre Back |
| 6. Ivan Toney | 490,577 | 25,510,000 | Al-Hilal | Centre Forward |
| 7. N'Golo Kante | 480,769 | 25,000,000 | Al-Ahli | Defensive Midfield |
| 8. Aleksandar Mitrovic | 480,769 | 25,000,000 | Al-lttihad | Centre Forward |
| 9. Sergej Milinkovic Savic | 480,769 | 25,000,000 | Al-Hilal | Centre Midfield |
| 10. Aymeric Laporte | 471,154 | 24,500,000 | Al-Nassr | Centre Back |
| 11. Marcelo Brozovic | 465,385 | 24,200,000 | Al-Nassr | Defensive Midfield |
| 12. John Duran | 392,500 | 20,410,000 | Al-Nassr | Centre Forward |
| 13. Roberto Firmino | 365,385 | 19,000,000 | Al-Ahli | Centre Forward |
| 14. Malcom | 346,154 | 18,000,000 | Al-Hilal | Right Wing |
| 15. Ruben Neves | 332,692 | 17,300,000 | Al-Hilal | Defensive Midfield |
| 16. Joao Cancelo | 294,423 | 15,310,000 | Al-Hilal | Right Back |
| 17. Moussa Diaby | 294,423 | 15,310,000 | Al-lttihad | Right Wing |
| 18. Georginio Wijnaldum | 288,462 | 15,000,000 | Al-Ettifaq | Centre Midfiled |
| 19. Franck Kessie | 269,231 | 14,000,000 | Al-Ahli | Centre Midfield |
|
20. Fabinho |
269,231 | 14,000,000 | Al-lttihad | Defensive Midfield |
Top 10 Highest-Paid Players in Saudi Pro League:
1. Cristiano Ronaldo | 3.85 million Euros per Week:
The Pioneer, The game-changer, The highest-paid footballer of all time. Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Al-Nassr in January 2023 was not just a transfer- it was a statement. His arrival ignited a wave of big-name signings in the Saudi Pro League, but none have matched his astonishing earnings.
π¨ OFFICIAL: Cristiano Ronaldo joins Al Nassr, here we go! Contract valid until 2025 π΅πΉπΈπ¦ #Ronaldo pic.twitter.com/HB562KnaTf
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 30, 2022
Earning twice as much as the next best-paid player, he remains the undisputed financial King of both the league and the World football. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner did not just adapt, he succeeded, finishing 2023 as the year's top goal scorer across all competitions. At 40, he is not just playing-he is redefining the game on a new level.
2. Karim Benzema | 1.93 million Euros per week:
Karim Benzema had the option to stay at Real Madrid for another year, but who can blame him for accepting a three-year deal with champions Al-lttihad, well over 150 million? At 35, an age when many players consider retirement, he chose to take a new challenge while securing an astonishing payday.
Official, confirmed. Karim Benzema joins Al Ittihad on two year deal with option for further season. π‘β«οΈπΈπ¦ #AlIttihad
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 6, 2023
Benzema will earn almost €200m per season net salary, commercial deals included. pic.twitter.com/vSrkL4zjJI
However, unlike Cristiano Ronaldo, the Frenchman has struggled to settle in the Saudi Pro League, even earning a harsh new nickname from Al-lttihad fans. Despite this, he has still delivered on the pitch, scoring 13 goals and providing eight assists in just 29 games during his debut season in the Middle East.
3. Riyad Mahrez | 1.03 million Euros per week:
Riyad Mahrez ranks third on this list, but he trails significantly behind the top two in earnings, nearly 50% of what Benzema makes. Even so, his 8.3 million euros salary at Manchester City now seems like pocket change compared to the eye-watering sum he is earning at Al-Ahli.
Riyad Mahrez to Al Ahli, here we go! The documents are being exchanged as Man City and Al Ahli want the deal signed by the end of the week. π¨π’πΈπ¦ #AlAhli
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 19, 2023
Mahrez will sign until June 2027 — Man City will receive €35m fee with add ons included.
Medical booked in the next 24h. pic.twitter.com/Vh390HYr6V
Now making more than Five times his City wages, the Algerian international continues to showcase the same dazzling skill in Saudi Arabia that Premier League fans enjoyed weekly. With 12 goals and 14 assists at the time of writing, he is proving his worth, even if Al-Ahli fell short of winning Saudi Pro League title in his debut season.
4. Sadio Mane | 769k euros Per Week:
Sadio Mane's time at Bayern Munich can fairly be described as pathetic. The Senegalese forward, who once tortured Premier League defenses with Liverpool and Southampton, struggled to find favor in Bavaria. His difficult spells even included a physical argument with teammate Leroy Sane.
Sadio Mané to Al Nassr, here we go! Deal in place between the two clubs, Bayern have accepted the verbal proposal after advanced talks yesterday π‘π΅πΈπ¦
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 28, 2023
Paperwork to be checked on player side and then medical will be booked, deal will be done.
Fofana, BrozoviΔ, Telles… Mané βοΈ pic.twitter.com/w0eZqFQxgD
As a result, securing a move away from the Allianz Arena become Mane's top priority. He ultimately signed for Al-Nassr, joining forces with Cristiano Ronaldo. The 32-year-old penned a deal reportedly with around 34 million euros per year, placing him just ahead of another former Premier League star.
5. Kalidou Koulibaly | 667k euros Per Week:
Chelsea fans were confident they had found the perfect defensive partner for Thiago Silva in Kalidou Koulibaly, even handing him John Terry's iconic number. However, the Senegalese defender endured a challenging spell at Stamford Bridge and was moved on in 2023 for 20 million euros.
The moment Kalidou Koulibaly signed for Al-Hilal πΈπ¦ pic.twitter.com/IrskVaXxO7
— GOAL (@goal) June 26, 2023
Since joining Al-Hilal, Koulibaly has been a steady presence at the back, leaving his Premier struggles behind to help guide his new team to the 2023/24 Saudi Pro League title.
Earning around 295,000 euros per week in Chelsea, the 33-year-old nearly doubted his wages with the move. In an interview, he even admitted that the amazing financial offer played a major role in his decision.
"I can’t deny it. With this money, I will be able to help my whole family to live well, from my parents to my cousins"