The Saudi Pro League’s rise has not only shaken the footballing landscape but it has rewritten the sport’s economy.
In just a few years, a flood of oil-backed investment has drawn in global stars with contracts once unimaginable.
From World Cup winners to Premier League legends, the kingdom now boasts some of the highest-paid footballers in history. And at the summit? No surprise — Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Top 10 Highest-Paid Players in the Saudi Pro League (2025)
1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr) — €200,000,000 per year
The 40-year-old remains the crown jewel of the Saudi revolution. Since arriving in 2023, Ronaldo has topped the scoring charts, led Al-Nassr to silverware, and turned Saudi football into a global headline.
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His contract includes €200 million annually, private jet privileges, and a rumoured stake in the club. With 938 career goals, the 1,000 mark is within reach — and Saudi Arabia is paying to see it happen.
2. Riyad Mahrez (Al-Ahli) — €52,200,000
A treble winner with Manchester City, Mahrez brought his elegance and pedigree to Al-Ahli in 2023. Now one of the league’s most decorated and productive players, he remains a game-changer, adding AFC Champions League success to his resume.
3. Karim Benzema (Al-Ittihad) — €50,000,000
The 2022 Ballon d’Or winner showed he still had plenty left in the tank, scoring 21 goals in his second season and captaining Al-Ittihad to a historic league and cup double.
For €50m a year, the Frenchman is delivering on every front.
4. Sadio Mane (Al-Nassr) — €40,000,000
After a mixed stint at Bayern, Mane joined Ronaldo at Al-Nassr. Though the explosive pace has dimmed slightly, he remains lethal in front of goal and continues to lead off the pitch with remarkable charitable work in Senegal.
5. Kalidou Koulibaly (Al-Hilal) — €34,700,000
Koulibaly swapped Chelsea for Al-Hilal and hasn’t looked back.
The Senegal captain is one of the league’s most respected leaders, earning €34.7m a year for his defensive authority and professionalism.
6. Ivan Toney (Al-Ahli) — €25,510,000
England’s only current international in Saudi football, Toney, made a high-profile switch to Al-Ahli.
With 40 goals in 43 games, he’s picked up exactly where he left off at Brentford — only now on an eight-figure salary.
7. N’Golo Kante (Al-Ittihad) — €25,000,000
The ever-smiling, humble hero of France’s 2018 World Cup win now patrols the midfield in Saudi Arabia.
Kante, still universally beloved, earns €25m annually and has swapped his old Mini Cooper for a garage full of supercars.
8. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Al-Hilal) — €25,000,000
Once chased by Europe’s elite, the Serbian powerhouse chose a different path.
Now a key figure at Al-Hilal, he brings muscle, goals, and €25 million worth of expectations each year.
9. Aleksandar Mitrovic (Al-Hilal) — €25,000,000
Mitrovic has found his happy place in Riyadh. His 40-goal debut season silenced any doubters and showed he’s more than just a battering ram.
Reports of a Premier League return swirl, but financially, there’s little incentive to leave.
10. Aymeric Laporte (Al-Nassr) — €24,500,000
Laporte quietly exited Manchester City for Al-Nassr in 2023, and while the spotlight has dimmed, his paycheque hasn’t.
He’s now one of the world’s best-paid defenders — even if few are still tracking his Wikipedia updates.
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The Saudi Pro League has gone beyond splashy transfers. It’s offering life-changing salaries, altering the global power balance, and fast becoming a destination rather than a detour.
While critics question sustainability and competitiveness, the numbers both on the scoreboard and the payslips speak for themselves.
