The top-10 highest paid footballers from Europe’s top-five leagues have been revealed, and to the shock of absolutely no one, it turns out they earn a shed load of money.
French publication L’Equipe have released their annual salary report based on monthly salary before tax, and it’s Spain that dominates proceedings with five La Liga players cemented inside the top-10, compared to two players from the Premier League, another couple in France, and one from Italy. However, there’s not a single player from the Bundesliga.
Top of the pile is….Lionel Messi who is paid a simply staggering £7.3million before tax, nearly double that of rival Cristiano Ronaldo who tallies £4.1m since making the switch from Real Madrid to Juventus in the summer.
Frenchman Antoine Griezmann completes the top-three, earning £2.9m over at Real Madrid, while PSG’s Neymar is fourth on £2.7m, followed by his former Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez (£2.5m).
Gareth Bale is the only British player in the top-10 earners from Europe’s top-five leagues, on £2.2m at Real Madrid. Former Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho, who has been linked with a sensational return to the Premier League, can be found on £2m per month before tax.
Barely a week goes by without Alexis Sanchez’s earnings cropping up in a conversation. The Man Utd flop, who hopes to rejuvenate his stuttering career under interim boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, is the Premier League’s highest earner (£2m). Another PSG player follows suit in Kylian Mbappe £1.5m, while Arsenal enigma Mesut Ozil completes the list on £1.4m before tax.
Top-10 Highest Earners Before Tax (monthly)
Lionel Messi £7.3million
Cristiano Ronaldo £4.1m
Antoine Griezmann £2.9m
Neymar £2.7m
Luis Suarez £2.5m
Gareth Bale £2.2m
Philippe Coutinho £2m
Alexis Sanchez £2m
Kylian Mbappe £1.5m
Mesut Ozil £1.4m