As an elite level footballer, you can expect to be paid an absurd wage when you play for one of the biggest teams in the world. And if you're playing for a top level Champions League side, then that sum can rise exponentially.
Every player dreams of playing in and winning Europe's biggest club competition, where the best teams on the continent contend for the historic piece of silverware. And clubs are prepared to hand out huge salaries to put them in as strong a position as possible.
With the League Phase of the competition sorting the weak from the strong, attention now turns to the knockout rounds. Playoffs for the round of 16 are underway, as the likes of Real Madrid and reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain all aim to secure a place in the next stage.
But who among Europe's elite are the best paid players remaining in the competition? Capology, via FBref, have combed through their database for the competition and have now named the 30 individuals who take home the biggest salary.
Highest-Paid Players in Champions League Knockouts: 30-21
To give you an idea of just how well paid some Champions League players are, Gabriel Jesus, the third-highest paid player at Arsenal right now, only just scrapes into the top 30. The Brazilian is on an impressive £265,000-a-week, but that number is dwarfed by others.
A whole host of players then follow between the 29th and 23rd, with each of them only just failing to crack the £280,000 mark. The most notable of the bunch are Real Madrid trio, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Rodrygo and Federico Valverde, all of whom earn £277,895. They're tied with Lautaro Martinez, as well as Barcelona duo Raphinha and Lamine Yamal — although you would imagine that the Spanish sensation will be earning a substantially larger amount in subsequent years.
Completing this section though are two Premier League stars who haven't managed to make the impact in Europe's best club competition they might have hoped to. Alexander Isak failed to score in any of his five Champions League games since moving to Liverpool before he picked up an injury. And while Kai Havertz has at least managed one goal and one assist, he's only played 45 minutes of football in the tournament thus far because of his own fitness issues. Both players, though, are well compensated nevertheless.
Highest-Paid Players in Champions League Knockouts (30-21)
Rank
30
29
=23
=23
=23
=23
=23
=23
=21
=21
Highest-Paid Players in Champions League Knockouts: 20-13
Only one player in the top 20 falls below the £300k-per-week mark, an honour which is bestowed upon Omar Marmoush. The Manchester City forward is only just behind teammate Bernardo Silva and Bukayo Saka, who recently put pen to paper on a new deal at Arsenal which will see him pocket £300,000-per-week, as per Salary Leaks.
Despite becoming the most recent recipient of the Ballon d'Or, Ousmane Dembele only ranks 17th when it comes to overall wages in the Champions League. The France international trails behind Bayern Munich duo Serge Gnabry and Jamal Musiala, who will both hope to hoist the famous piece of silverware aloft at the end of the season — and potentially pocket a healthy bonus.
Frenkie de Jong is just fractionally ahead of the two players from the Bundesliga outfit, but earns a substantial amount less than their teammate, Joshua Kimmich. Only two players for the Bavarian team earn more than the German, but his weekly salary of £333,407 is only good enough for 13th when compared to Europe's elite.
Highest-Paid Players in Champions League Knockouts (20-13)
Rank
20
=18
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17
=15
=15
14
13
Highest-Paid Players in Champions League Knockouts: 10-1
Twelve players all manage to feature in the top 10, thanks to three different stars all taking home the same amount each week. Jan Oblak, Robert Lewandowski and Jude Bellingham are all tied for 10th place, with each of them earning a reported £347,243-a-week.
Fractionally ahead of the La Liga stars is Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk, who is much closer to Manuel Neuer in eighth spot than those behind him. However, both he and the Dutchman, who earn in the region of £350,000 every seven days, are then way behind a surprise name in seventh. Dusan Vlahovic has certainly done well for himself at Juventus, but likely won't earn an extension with the Bianconeri, considering that he's not really lived up to the hype.
David Alaba will no doubt be delighted with his salary, but each of the players in the top five earn £400,000-a-week or more. Mohamed Salah's contract extension with Liverpool ensured he re-signed on significantly improved terms, but this will likely be his last big contract at Anfield considering he's now 33. Vinicius Junior, meanwhile, could stand to earn a lot more. Still only 25-years-old and with less than 18 months left on his current deal, Real Madrid will need to make an improved offer if they are to keep their best-paid player.
Harry Kane leads the pack when it comes to the highest-earning English players, and by some distance too. Like Vinicius, his deal is coming to an end, and a release clause could see him return to the Premier League in the coming year. However, both the striker and the Brazilian are way behind the top two.
When it comes to wages, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland are in a league of their own. The only players to crack the £500,000-per-week mark, it's the Norwegian who leads everyone else. Having extended his stay at Man City in 2025, he'll now be earning a huge sum, and likely a considerable bonus too, until 2034.
Highest-Paid Players in Champions League Knockouts (10-1)
Rank
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=10
=10
9
8
7
6
5
=3
=3
2
1
All numbers via Capology unless stated otherwise - Correct as of 18/02/2026