Top 10 highest-paid footballers in the world in 2022

The salaries for the best players continue to rise exponentially.

Football has become a money centric game over the years. The wages, transfer fees, and revenue of teams and their players are unbelievable. With each year passing by, the top 5 leagues are getting richer and richer. Overall, the football industry is progressing smoothly in terms of finance. The Premier League is leading in terms of finance and spending power as of now. La Liga is struggling a bit because of financial problems at FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. Let's talk about the top ten highest-paid footballers in the world in 2022.

10. Sadio Mane - £350,000 p/w

The transfer of Mane to Bayern was quite shocking. Sadio Mane chose a new challenge in the German league. The winger earns £350,000 p/w, an upgrade from his previous contract at Liverpool. His new contract makes him the highest-paid player in Germany.

Moreover, Sadio is looking forward to proving himself quickly. The Senegal international has already scored five goals in eight games for Bayern Munich. Despite the departure of Robert Lewandowski, Mane's arrival has ensured that Bayern's attack remains formidable. The attacking options of Mane, Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry definitely imposes a great threat.

9. Mohamed Salah - £350,000 p/w

The shocking departure of Mane implied that Liverpool would do everything in their power to keep Mo Salah. They did this job quite well. Mohamed Salah now earns £350,000 p/w and has signed a contract with Liverpool until 2025.

As of now, Salah is struggling a bit given his high standards. The Egyptian has scored just twice in six Premier League games. Overall, Liverpool are struggling a lot. Liverpool have lost to Manchester United and more recently, lost 4-1 to Napoli. The absence of Sadio Mane has perhaps depleted their attacking ranks.

8. Erling Haaland - £375,000 p/w

The Norwegian youngster is at par with the likes of Kylian Mbappe in terms of talent. A player like Haaland is definitely supposed to be on this list. Haaland has signed a five-year deal with Manchester City and his wages are likely to increase each year. 

Many fans compared Haaland with Darwin Nunez. The statements were based on a horrible pre-season game in which Erling struggled. However, Erling has proved everyone wrong. The forward has scored 10 goals in six Premier League games so far. This also includes two hat-tricks. 

7. David De Gea - £375,000 p/w

David De Gea is one of the most loyal and best players Manchester United have. The downfall of Manchester United is unreal. Many good players left the club especially when they were needed the most. After a disappointing loss in the Europa League final, it felt like the end of the road for DDG. However, David De Gea proved himself to be one of the best goalkeepers last season.

The Spanish keeper has conceded many goals due to United's poor defense. Under Erik Ten Hag, the backline and the team has improved a bit. The arrival of Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane's improvement in form has helped United a lot.

6. Eden Hazard - £380,000 p/w

If this was at Chelsea, Eden Hazard's wages would've been justified. However, that is not the case. Hazard's transfer to Real Madrid gave the Spanish club one of the best attacking players in the world. However, Hazard has flopped and failed at Madrid, mainly because of poor fitness.

Hazard has managed to score just four goals in three seasons for Real Madrid. Moreover, he has managed to make just 50 appearances over four years for Real Madrid. Despite all this, Eden Hazard is still the sixth highest-paid player in the world. Perhaps, the Real Madrid management have faith in the Belgian superstar, who is looking to shine this season.

5. Kevin De Bruyne - £400,000 p/w

De Bruyne has recently signed a new contract with Manchester City until 2025. Once a Chelsea reject, the Belgian is now one of the best midfielders in the world. The midfielder is exemplary when it comes to scoring goals and providing assists. It's only fair that Kevin De Bruyne earns £400,000 p/w.

Moreover, this season looks even better for De Bruyne because of the arrival of Erling Haaland. The Haaland-De Bruyne duo has already started to turn on the heat.

Also Read: Top 10 highest paid players in Premier League 2022-23

4. Cristiano Ronaldo - £480,000 p/w

Ronaldo is struggling ever since Erik Ten Hag has made strict changes at Manchester United. Though the changes are working for the team, it's clear that Ronaldo is not in EtH's plans. Cristiano has played only 297 minutes in the last seven games for United, failing to score. Earlier, Ronaldo was earning £515,000 and is now earning a bit less per week.

However, Ronaldo did not disappoint despite United's shortcomings last season. Cristiano scored 24 goals in 38 matches for Manchester United. He scored two hat-tricks as well, one against Tottenham Hotspur and another against Norwich. The Portuguese had a great impact in the Champions League as well. He scored two last minute clutch goals against Villarreal and Atalanta in the Champions league.

3. Neymar Jr - £606,000 p/w

The Brazilian superstar made the headlines for the first time in 2010. He made it to the top ten of the Ballon D'or list while playing at Sao Paulo - a rare feat. Neymar's transfer to PSG from Barcelona for £200 million broke the headlines again. 

A club like Paris Saint-Germain is equipped with vast resources and thus, they have assembled a team of superstars. PSG are paying Neymar Jr a staggering £606,000 p/w. Despite the hatred against him, Neymar is definitely proving himself every season. Overall, Neymar has garnered 109 goals and 67 assists in 152 games for PSG.

2. Lionel Messi - £960,000 p/w

The greatest player in football history is expected to be on a list like this. Lionel Messi earns a staggering £960,000 p/w, which makes him the second highest earning player in the world. Lionel Messi tried everything to stay at his home club FC Barcelona, but had to move to a new city.

Messi struggled in his first season at PSG. The Argentinian had 11 goals and 15 assists in 34 games for PSG. Those stats are quite good for any other player but average for someone like Messi. He is now looking to rekindle his deadly attacking combo with Neymar Jr this season. Messi already has four goals and eight assists in eight games for PSG this season.

1. Kylian Mbappe - £1,600,000 p/w

It is not surprising to see three PSG players on the list. However, Mbappe's wages are way too much for a player. The French superstar is earning £1.6 million per week at Paris Saint-Germain. Kylian Mbappe let go off a chance to join his dream club Real Madrid earlier this year. PSG's lucrative offer to keep Mbappe tells you why. Moreover, the team has been built around the 2018 World Cup winner.

His contract of £1.6 million per week is the most lucrative contract ever in the history of football. Despite his ego, Mbappe is still one of the best players in the world. Mbappe has already scored nine goals in six games for PSG this season. The recent games clearly show the MNM (Messi-Neymar- Mbappe) coming into action.