As the game has continued to expand across a global stage, the superstars of Europe’s big-hitters have seen their bank balances rocket up, with annual records consistently broken.

The on, and off-field, rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo has driven a portion of this growth, with the duo still among the top earners in the game, despite edging closer to retirement.

However, Forbes’ most recent list of the richest footballers on the planet shows the rise of the next generation of players challenging the financial dominance of Messi and Ronaldo.

But Ronaldo put everyone back in their place in December 2022 when it was announced he would be joining Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr on a contract that makes the five-time Ballon d’Or winner the best-paid footballer in history.

The Sporting News takes a look at the top 10 players on the ‘rich list’ based on the most recent figures from 2022.

MORE: All the details surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo’s salary in Saudi Arabia

1. Cristiano Ronaldo

Country: Portugal Club: Al Nassr (Saudi Arabia) Estimated Annual Income: £173m / $213m Estimated Additional Income (off-field earnings): $60m / £52. 3m*

*Figure before Al Nassr contract was agreed

2. Kylian Mbappe

Country: France Club: Paris Saint-Germain (France) Estimated Annual Income: $110m / £96m Estimated Additional Income (off-field earnings): $18m / £15. 6m

3. Lionel Messi

Country: Argentina Club: Paris Saint-Germain (France) Estimated Annual Income: $65m / £56. 7m Estimated Additional Income (off-field earnings): $55m / £48m

4. Neymar Jr.

Country: Brazil Club: Paris Saint-Germain (France) Estimated Annual Income: $55m / £48m Estimated Additional Income (off-field earnings): $32m / £27. 9m

5. Mohamed Salah

Country: Egypt Club: Liverpool (England) Estimated Annual Income: $35m / £30. 5m Estimated Additional Income (off-field earnings): $18m / £15. 7m

6. Erling Haaland

Country: Norway Club: Manchester City (England) Estimated Annual Income: $35m / £30. 5m Estimated Additional Income (off-field earnings): $4m / £3. 5m

7. Robert Lewandowski

Country: Poland Club: Barcelona (Spain) Estimated Annual Income: $27m / £23. 5m Estimated Additional Income (off-field earnings): $8m / £7m

8. Eden Hazard

Country: Belgium Club: Real Madrid (Spain) Estimated Annual Income: $27m / £23. 5m Estimated Additional Income (off-field earnings): $4m / £3. 5m

9. Andres Iniesta

Country: Spain Club: Vissel Kobe (Japan) Estimated Annual Income: $25m / £21. 8m Estimated Additional Income (off-field earnings): $5m / £4. 4m

10. Kevin De Bruyne

Country: Belgium Club: Manchester City (England) Estimated Annual Income: $25m / £21. 8m Estimated Additional Income (off-field earnings): $4m / £3. 5m