7 Top Earning Players in the Saudi Pro League, Cristiano Ronaldo Leads
- The Saudi Pro League has drawn elite talent by offering huge salaries, with three players earning over £1 million per week
- Cristiano Ronaldo’s transfer to Al-Nassr initiated a surge of high-profile moves to the league, including the likes of Neymar
- Currently, the seven top-earning footballers in the Saudi Pro League each bring home more than £10 million each season
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Following Cristiano Ronaldo's lead during the 2023/24 season, a number of high-profile European footballers transitioned to the Saudi Pro League.
The veteran's move to Al-Nassr in December 2022 was the move that sparked a trend, with many other stars choosing to follow him to the Middle East.
Source: Getty Images
Star players like Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante, and Roberto Firmino would then make the switch in the summer of 2023.
Moussa Diaby is the latest to join the trend, with the Aston Villa star trading the Premier League for Al-Ittihad, per SuperSport.
While the allure of a new challenge may have been a factor, the substantial financial incentives of the SPL were a major draw.
YEN.com.gh has compiled a list of the highest-paid players in the Saudi Pro League currently, based on figures by Capology:
Highest-paid players in Saudi Pro League
Cristiano Ronaldo: Al-Nassr (£3.23 million per week)
Ronaldo stands as the highest-paid player in football history. His contract with Al-Nassr, which began in January 2023, is significantly more lucrative than any other player's earnings.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner remains at the top of the pay scale, and his presence has boosted the SPL's profile. With his record-breaking goal tally in 2023, CR7 has also proven his worth.
Neymar: Al-Hilal (£1.62 million per week)
The most expensive player ever in terms of cumulative transfer fees, Neymar's £86 million move to Al-Hilal came with a massive contract.
However, his stint has been marred by injury, limiting him to just five appearances so far.
Despite the high wages, his impact on the field has yet to match the expectations set by his contract.
Karim Benzema: Al-Ittihad (£1.62 million per week)
Benzema chose to leave Real Madrid for a lucrative three-year deal with Al-Ittihad, worth over £150 million, per Marca.
Although he has faced some challenges adapting to the Saudi Pro League, he has managed a commendable record of 13 goals and 8 assists in his debut season.
Riyad Mahrez: Al-Ahli (£843.6K per week)
Mahrez, while fourth on the list, earns significantly less than the top three but still enjoys a considerable pay increase compared to his previous Manchester City salary.
His performance with Al-Ahli, including 12 goals and 14 assists, suggests he has been a valuable asset, despite his team missing out on the league title.
Sadio Mane: Al-Nassr (£646.4K per week)
Mane's move to Al-Nassr came after a challenging season at Bayern Munich.
The Senegalese forward has found a new lease on life in the Saudi Pro League, earning £33.5 million annually and placing him just inside the top five earners.
Kalidou Koulibaly: Al-Hilal (£560.8K per week)
Koulibaly's move to Al-Hilal saw him nearly double his previous wages at Chelsea.
Despite a difficult stint in London, the 33-year-old defender is now earning significantly more and has adjusted well to his new environment.
N’Golo Kante: Al-Ittihad (£404K per week)
Kante's transition from Chelsea to Al-Ittihad followed a season plagued by injuries.
The midfielder secured a notable increase in his weekly wages and has remained a key player in his new role, contributing to 44 appearances in his first season.
His departure from Chelsea may have been premature given their current struggles.
Why Benzema doesn't regret leaving Real Madrid
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that Al-Ittihad talisman Karim Benzema has explained why he doesn't regret leaving Real Madrid for the Saudi Pro League.
The Frenchman joined a wave of high-profile stars who swapped Europe for fortunes in the Middle East, a trend kicked off by veteran, Cristiano Ronaldo.
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Source: AFP
