As Forbes released its latest list of highest-paid football players in the world for 2023, we decided to look at the highest-paid male footballers in the nominal top five European leagues.
The French first division, Ligue 1 Uber Eats, has been regularly branded as a farmers’ league by fans and pundits globally because of the huge disparity in the spending and squad-building capabilities of one club compared to the rest of the league. Given all ten of these entries come from Paris Saint-Germain FC (PSG) alone, it’s hard for one to argue otherwise.
So, without any further ado, let’s take a look at the top 10 highest-paid footballers in Ligue 1 Uber Eats during the 2023/24 season.
Note: In line with the figures from Capology.com, we use the Euro (€) as the currency, and only profiles that have been verified have been considered for this list.
Also read: Top 10 highest-paid footballers in the world right now
Gross p/w: €174,808 | Gross p/y: €9.09 million
The 27-year-old Spain international is a versatile midfielder who can operate as a No. 6, No. 8 or No. 10 on any given day. His skill set and ability to read games make him stand out as one of the finest technicians operating in football at the moment.
The former Napoli midfielder joined the French champions in August 2023 on a five-year deal that brings him €174,808 on a weekly basis.
Gross p/w: €209,808 | Gross p/y: €10.91 million
Once regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, the now-36-year-old Costa Rica international is currently the second-choice keeper at the Parc de Princes.
With his five-year deal set to expire next summer, it’ll be interesting to see whether PSG choose to keep hold of such a decorated goalkeeper.
Gross p/w: €244,808 | Gross p/y: €12.73 million
It will always be hard to dislodge one of the best goalkeepers in the world and a generational talent like Gianluigi Donnarumma. The 24-year-old Italy No. 1 joined the French champions after a successful UEFA Euro 2020 campaign, his three penalty shootout saves against England taking Italy all the way.
Currently on a €244,808-a-week salary, Donnarumma still has three years remaining on his contract.
Gross p/w: €244,808 | Gross p/y: €12.73 million
Due to his languid dribbling skills, blistering pace and lanky physique, Randal Kolo Muani has often drawn comparisons to Thierry Henry with his playing style. After breaking through the ranks at FC Nantes and making 87 professional appearances for them, the Frenchman joined Eintracht Frankfurt in July 2022 on a free transfer.
In his first and only season in Frankfurt, Kolo Muani produced 24 goals and 14 assists in 48 club appearances across all competitions, not to mention his performances at the 2022 World Cup, which proved crucial in helping him earn his big-money move to PSG last summer.
Gross p/w: €279,808 | Gross p/y: €14.55 million
There aren’t many like Achraf Hakimi in world football currently. A quick, dynamic and powerful right-back, the Morocco international signed for PSG in July 2021.
Hakimi is currently on a weekly wage of €279,808. With just two years remaining on his contract after this season, PSG would likely want to keep hold of one of their prized jewels for much longer.
Gross p/w: €279,808 | Gross p/y: €14.55 million
After nine years at Real Madrid CF, where he never quite managed to cement his place as a starter, Marco Asensio, now 27 and playing at his peak, needed more game time, so when PSG and Luis Enrique came calling, it was an easy decision for the Spain international, with Euro 2024 just around the corner.
Tied to a three-year deal with the Parisians until June 2026, Asensio is reportedly earning €279,808 in weekly wages.
Gross p/w: €314,615 | Gross p/y: €16.3 million
The 27-year-old Slovakia international joined PSG last summer on a free transfer. After six years with Inter Milan, Škriniar signed a five-year deal with the French champions in July 2023, with his €314,615-a-week contract making him the fourth-highest-paid footballer in Ligue 1.
Gross p/w: €365,385 | Gross p/y: €19 million
Known for his versatility and defensive prowess, this 27-year-old France international has already had quite an accomplished club career, having played for the likes of Atlético Madrid and FC Bayern Munich before joining the French champions last summer for a fee of around €40 million.
Tied to a five-year deal until June 2028, Hernández earns €19 million in wages annually.
Gross p/w: €384,615 | Gross p/y: €20 million
Once considered one of the brightest youth prospects in world football, which led to FC Barcelona shelling out €105 million for his services, Ousmane Dembélé’s career so far hasn’t turned out the way many would have hoped.
Still 26, and entering his peak years, the wide forward could yet turn out to be one of PSG’s shining lights for years to come.
Gross p/w: €1,384,615 | Gross p/y: €72 million
One of the best players in the world currently, Kylian Mbappé has been the crown jewel of PSG, even when the likes of Neymar and Lionel Messi were sharing the centre stage with him.
While this may be Mbappé’s last season with the French champions, with his contract running out by June 2024 and the spectre of Real Madrid always looming large in the background, the PSG hierarchy are doing and will continue doing everything in their power to make the Frenchman feel at home, even if that means paying him more than €1 million every week in wages.
Also Read
Top 10 Highest-Paid Footballers In LaLiga
Top 10 Highest-Paid Footballers In The Bundesliga
Top 10 Highest-Paid Footballers In The Premier League
Rank | Player | Team | Salary (p/w) |
10 | Fabián Ruiz | Paris Saint-Germain FC | €1,74,808 |
9 | Keylor Navas | Paris Saint-Germain FC | €2,09,808 |
8 | Gianluigi Donnarumma | Paris Saint-Germain FC | €2,44,808 |
7 | Randal Kolo Muani | Paris Saint-Germain FC | €2,44,808 |
6 | Achraf Hakimi | Paris Saint-Germain FC | €2,79,808 |
5 | Marco Asensio | Paris Saint-Germain FC | €2,79,808 |
4 | Milan Škriniar | Paris Saint-Germain FC | €3,14,615 |
3 | Lucas Hernández | Paris Saint-Germain FC | €3,65,385 |
2 | Ousmane Dembélé | Paris Saint-Germain FC | €3,84,615 |
1 | Kylian Mbappé | Paris Saint-Germain FC | €13,84,615 |
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