World Cup 2026: Three Africans among the top ten highest-paid players

Africa Today at 11:03

Nafongo TRAORE

News Editor

16.06.26 15:00 World Cup

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Senegal

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Forbes Magazine has published its ranking of the highest-earning players participating in the World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané, and Riyad Mahrez occupy the sixth, seventh, and eighth spots, respectively.

Forbes' ranking is based on the past 12 months' revenues from salaries, bonuses, commercial contracts, and endorsements.

Sadio Mané, Mohamed Salah, and Riyad Mahrez are the three Africans making it into the top ten. The Egyptian Pharaoh, Salah, rakes in $55 million—just one million more than the Senegalese Lions' star, while Algerian Riyad Mahrez follows with $53 million in earnings.

The rest of the ranking is dominated by Cristiano Ronaldo and Leo Messi.

Forbes' list of the top 10 highest-paid players at the 2026 World Cup:

1. Cristiano Ronaldo – $300 million
2. Lionel Messi – $140 million
3. Kylian Mbappé – $95 million
4. Erling Haaland – $80 million
5. Vinícius Júnior – $60 million

6. Mohamed Salah – $55 million
7. Sadio Mané – $54 million
8. Riyad Mahrez – $53 million

9. Jude Bellingham – $44 million
10. Lamine Yamal – $43 million

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