Top 10 Highest-Paid Footballers In LaLiga

As Forbes released its latest list of the highest-paid football players in the world for the year 2023, we thought why not compile our own list of the highest-paid footballers in the top 5 European leagues?

Given that Spanish clubs are notoriously known for offering huge salaries, it wasn’t surprising for us to see that the list for La Liga players is heavily dominated by Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atlético Madrid players – the traditional big three in Spain.

So, without any further ado, let’s take a look at the top 10 highest-paid footballers in the top 5 European leagues.

Note: In line with the figures from Capology.com, we use the Euro (€) as the currency, and transfers that took place till September 2023 have been fact-checked with other sources.

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10. Koke | Atlético Madrid

Gross p/w: €307,692 | Gross p/y: €16 million

The Atléti skipper has been a stalwart in the engine room of Diego Simione’s Atlético Madrid side over the years. Often regarded as the heir to Spanish legend Xavi Hernández, the 31-year-old is currently the 10th highest-paid footballer in La Liga. Having signed a massive 7-year contract in May 2017, the Atléti captain takes home €307,692 in weekly wages, taking his gross annual salary to €16 million.

9. İlkay Gündoğan | Barcelona

Gross p/w: €360,577 | Gross p/y: €18.75 million

After seven glorious years at Manchester City, where he won every club competition on offer, the 33-year-old German midfielder signed for his dream club FC Barcelona on a two-year deal in July 2023. Gündoğan currently earns €360,577 in wages with his total annual salary tallying €18.75 million.

8. Jan Oblak | Atlético Madrid

Gross p/w: €400,577 | Gross p/y: €20.83 million

The Slovenian international had grown into one of the finest goalkeepers in world football over the years. Since joining the Colchoneros in the summer of 2014, the Atléti #13 has been one of the key players in their successes both domestically and in Europe. The 30-year-old signed a six-year deal in July 2022, keeping him with the club until June 2028. The Slovenian currently earns €400,577 in weekly wages.

7. Robert Lewandowski | Barcelona

Gross p/w: €400,577 | Gross p/y: €20.83 million

One of the most lethal strikers in the world, the Polish international left Bayern in the summer of 2022 to join Spanish giants FC Barcelona on a four-year deal. Lewandowski is currently the seventh-highest-paid footballer in La Liga with a weekly salary of €400,577 which tallies to an annual salary of €20.83 million.

6. Jude Bellingham | Real Madrid

Gross p/w: €400,577 | Gross p/y: €20.83 million

It is still hard to believe that Jude Bellingham is only 20 years old. The English midfielder has been a revelation at the Santiago Bernebéu, already pulling the strings in an established Real Madrid side, with his 10 goals in 10 games a highlight of the impact he’s had in a short span of time. The Birmingham boy is currently tied to a six-year deal, keeping him with the club until June 2029.

5. Vinícius Júnior | Real Madrid

Gross p/w: €400,577 | Gross p/y: €20.83 million

Much was said when Florentino Pérez forked out a sizable amount to bring an untested, raw, and skinny Vinícius Júnior from Brazilian club Flamengo in the summer of 2018. Moreover, handing the young 18-year-old a €400,577/week salary was seen as a travesty by many. However, five years on, the 23-year-old is now a world-beater, tearing down defences and scoring crucial goals in some of the biggest games of the season.

4. Luka Modrić | Real Madrid

Gross p/w: €420,769 | Gross p/y: €21.88 million

Luka Modrić is arguably the greatest midfielder of the modern era. Even at 38, the way in which the Croatian controls and dictates play, breaks defensive lines with his guile and trickery and provides some of the most exquisite passes, is equal to none. Thus, it’s no surprise that Real Madrid want to keep hold of one of their prized jewels, even if it means offering him a €420,769/week salary on a one-year deal.

3. David Alaba | Real Madrid

Gross p/w: €432,692 | Gross p/y: €22.50 million

Known for his versatility to play anywhere from centre-back to left-back to attacking midfield for both club and country, Austrian international David Alaba is regarded as one of the best centre-backs in the world currently. Following 11 trophy-laden seasons with German champions Bayern Munich, David Alaba signed a five-year deal with Real Madrid in July 2021, making him the third-highest-paid player in the league with a weekly salary of €432,692.

2. Toni Kroos | Real Madrid

Gross p/w: €468,846 | Gross p/y: €24.38 million

The German maestro has been a stalwart in the heart of the Real Madrid midfield for nearly a decade. Regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of all time, there have only been a handful of players who can match the 33-year-old German’s skillset. Tied to a one-year deal with the club which expires at the end of this season, Toni Kroos earns €468,846 in wages, which equates to a gross annual salary of €24.38 million.

1. Frenkie de Jong | Real Madrid

Gross p/w: €721,154 | Gross p/y: €37.50 million

The 26-year-old Dutch international is known for his versatility, often drawing comparisons to German legend Franz Beckenbauer during his Ajax days. His impressive vision, passing ability, dribbling, as well as excellent reading of the game makes him stand out as one of the very best in his position. De Jong signed a 6-year deal with the Catalan giants in October 2020. With an annual salary of €37.50 million, the Barcelona midfielder is the highest-paid footballer in the league.

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