Football has continuously become more about money than the sport itself, but you can't blame players for wanting to make the most of the huge finances on offer. That's certainly the case for those reaching the latter stages of their careers and wanting a hefty pay day to ride off into the sunset with.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi's moves to the Saudi Pro League and the MLS left Europe rueing the loss of two of the greats, who would no longer be on display on Champions League nights. But it's fair to say neither Al-Nassr nor Inter Miami would have managed to lure the Ballon d'Or-winning duo to their respective clubs without offering record-breaking financial packages.
They are just two of many over-35-year-olds who were among the highest-paid players in world football during the 2024-25 season. Some continue to dazzle on the European stage and are rewarded with handsome pay cheques.
1 Cristiano Ronaldo
Portugal
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Cristiano Ronaldo said that he joined Al-Nassr in January 2023 due to the club's ambition and his desire to contribute to the growth of the Saudi Pro League. While those may have factored into his decision to head to Al-Awwal Park, there's no doubt his record-breaking contract played the most significant role.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner isn't only the highest-paid player over 35 in the world, but also the highest-paid player in the entire world. He reportedly earns £3.4m per week with an overall salary of £178m per year after signing a new two-year contract in June 2025. He's thought to earn £6 per second, just short of half of the hourly UK minimum wage.
Ronaldo has continued to set records while at Al-Nassr, finding the goal with ease, but the trophies haven't followed. This was why there were doubts over him staying put in the summer of 2025 until the 40-year-old penned one of the most lucrative contracts in sports history.
Age: Club: Earnings: Contract Expires:
40 Al-Nassr £3.4 million per week June 2027
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2 Lionel Messi
Argentina
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Lionel Messi nearly eclipsed Cristiano Ronaldo as the highest-paid player in the world but decided to snub a jaw-dropping £1.279b (€1.5 billion) offer from Al-Hilal in the summer of 2023. The legendary Argentine instead opted to join David Beckham's co-owned Inter Miami and still received a record-breaking contract, making him the highest-paid player in MLS history.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner takes home £2.5m per week, and escaping the media spotlight of Europe has allowed him to relax in the USA. His current deal with the Herons expires in December 2025, and he's in negotiations over an extension, but a rough patch for Javier Mascherano's side has led to some uncertainty.
Age: Club: Earnings: Contract Expires:
38 Inter Miami £2.5 million per week December 2025
3 Karim Benzema
France
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The third player in world football to purportedly earn over £1m per week is Karim Benzema, but Al-Ittihad may argue he's been the most worthy of such astronomical money. The French striker joined the Saudi giants after firing Real Madrid to UEFA Champions League glory and claiming the Ballon d'Or.
Benzema has continued to lead the line with aplomb at King Abdullah Sports City, captaining Laurent Blanc's side to the Saudi title and Saudi Cup in 2025. The 37-year-old recently put his money where his mouth is and splashed out on an £138,000 M5, probably with the same spirit as a teen using their pocket money on sweets.
|Age:|Club:|Earnings:|Contract Expires:|
37 Al-Ittihad £1.6 million per week June 2026
4 Robert Lewandowski
Poland
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Robert Lewandowski is the highest-paid player over 35 in Europe, sitting on purported weekly wages of £540,918 at Barcelona. There's no doubt the Pole is one of the best frontmen across the globe, and the Catalans were willing to move heaven and earth to bring him to Camp Nou in 2022 despite their massive financial issues.
The 36-year-old must have seen more dollar signs in sight when Hansi Flick arrived as Xavi's successor last summer. The German tactician worked his magic on the Blaugrana, and Lewandowski thrived as he'd done before at Bayern Munich, the veteran talisman in a young Barca side.
Lewandowski reportedly earned an extra £690,000 (€800,000) after Barca won the La Liga title and Copa del Rey. He has a year left on his contract, which could hand him further bonuses if Flick can achieve Champions League glory in 2026.
|Age:|Club:|Earnings:|Contract Expires:|
36 Barcelona £340,812 June 2026
5 Manuel Neuer
Germany
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Bayern Munich are a club that honours its legends and long-serving players, and Manuel Neuer is certainly one of them who continues to roll back the years between the sticks. The 39-year-old German goalkeeper continues to lead the way for the highest-paid shot-stoppers in the world, taking home a mouth-watering £340,812 per week.
Neuer has dealt with injury problems in recent years, including a rib fracture and torn muscle fibre last season. His finances were likely unharmed, unlike in 2023 when a skiing accident resulted in a broken leg; the Bavarians reportedly deducted his £1.3m (€1.6 million) salary, according to BILD.
Age: Club: Earnings: Contract Expires:
39 Bayern Munich £340,812 per week June 2026
6 Thomas Muller
Germany
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Thomas Muller is waving goodbye to Bayern Munich when the Club World Cup ends, bringing an end to a 25-year association with the Bundesliga heavyweights. It looks as though the 35-year-old German attacker has his sights set on the MLS and a move to LAFC, who would welcome him.
The only problem, according to iMiaSanMia on X, is that neither party can agree on the financial aspect of a potential free agent switch. He's purportedly earning £243,437 at the Allianz Arena, where he has been one of the greats of German football throughout the 21st century.
Age: Club: Earnings: Contract Expires:
35 Bayern Munich £243,437 per week July 2025
7 Luka Modric
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Luka Modric ages like fine wine, and he's set to get his first taste of Italian football next season. The 39-year-old Croatian playmaker has reportedly agreed to join AC Milan, having called time on his Real Madrid career despite continuing to be a hugely influential player at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder remains handsomely paid in the latter stages of his career. His final Madrid contract saw him sit on £169,108 per week, but he more than earned such wages.
ESPN reports that the 2018 Ballon d'Or winner has agreed on a one-year contract with Milan worth a net salary of around €3.5 million (£2.9 million) per season, plus bonuses. Class doesn't come cheap.
Age: Club: Earnings: Contract Expires:
39 Real Madrid £169,108 per week July 2025
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8 Axel Witsel
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Perhaps one of the biggest surprise names on this list is Axel Witsel, because he's reached the age of 36 out of nowhere, but his earnings have somewhat gone under the radar. The Belgian has moved into a centre-back role but is no longer an undisputed starter, making just 14 La Liga appearances in 2024-25.
Atletico Madrid will likely want to get Witsel off their books, given he's the fifth-highest earner at the club, one of five players over 30 who sit in the top six. He has been linked with a move to Belgian outfit Standard Liège to transition into coaching once he hangs up his boots, according to Sundinfo.
Age: Club: Earnings: Contract Expires:
36 Atletico Madrid £135,189 per week June 2025
9 Sergio Busquets
Spain
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Sergio Busquets joined Inter Miami officially a day after Messi headed to DRV PNK Stadium, and they are two of four Barcelona legends reunited in Florida. The iconic Spanish defensive midfielder, often deemed one of the best of all time, has provided many MLS youngsters with playmaking masterclasses.
Many teams in Europe could still do with a 36-year-old Busquets anchoring their side, but perhaps not by forking out the £129,938 he's believed to be on at Miami. He's out of contract in December, by then he'll be 37, but speculation over his future could grow given his recent admission of frustrations with the MLS's lack of progression.
Age: Club: Earnings: Contract Expires:
36 Inter Miami £129.938 per week December 2025
10 Cesar Azpilicueta
Spain
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Atletico Madrid sure like looking after their elder statesmen, and Cesar Azpilicueta didn't really need to contribute much last season to make the top 10 highest-paid players over the age of 35. The Spanish full-back, who arrived from Chelsea, where he'd reached legend status, in the summer of 2023, appeared just 14 times in La Liga last season but still took home a sweet £129,833 per week.
The 35-year-old's last hurrah with Diego Simeone's side has come at the FIFA Club World Cup amid his decision not to extend his stay at the Riyadh Metropolitano. He signed a new one-year deal last summer, but it's unlikely his potential new club will match his current wages.
Age: Club: Earnings: Contract Expires:
35 Atletico Madrid £129,833 per week June 2025
All wage data courtesy ofCapologyandSpond%20*%20Erling%20Haaland%20(%C2%A3875k%20per%20week))- correct as of 26.06.2025
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