10 highest-paid football players in the world (2020-21)

Lionel Messi is one of the highest earners in football
Lionel Messi is one of the highest earners in football

#7 Antoine Griezmann - Barcelona | $33 million

Antoine Griezmann in action for Barcelona
Antoine Griezmann in action for Barcelona

Antoine Griezmann has struggled at Barcelona but is a high-earner at the club and one of the more recognizable faces in football right now.

The France international, who began his career with Real Sociedad, made his name with Atletico Madrid, where he became one of the best attackers in world football. A £108 million move to Barcelona followed in 2019, where so far it has not worked out.

The 29-year old has failed to replicate his Atletico Madrid form, and with the emergence of prodigious youngsters like Ansu Fati and Pedri, has been linked with a move away.


#6 Paul Pogba - Manchester United | $34 million

Paul Pogba before a Manchester United game
Paul Pogba before a Manchester United game

No player has split opinion in the Premier League in recent years as much as Paul Pogba has.

Since his £89.3 million move to Manchester United in 2016, Pogba has been a divisive figure. A clearly talented player, the France international has often been accused of failing to perform on a consistent level. Heavily linked with a move away from Manchester United for some time now, Pogba could very well be on the move next summer.

The 27-year old has seen his game time limited in recent weeks due to the influence of Bruno Fernandes as well as manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer preferring Fred and Scott McTominay in midfield.


#5 Mohamed Salah - Liverpool | $37 million

Mohamed Salah is one of the best players in the league
Mohamed Salah is one of the best players in the league

One of the best players in the world right now, Mohamed Salah's star has been rising ever since his move to Liverpool.

After a move to Chelsea did not pan out, the Egypt international was shipped to Fiorentina and later Roma, on loan. Salah joined Roma permanently in 2016, moving to Liverpool a season later for £37 million. It only took a season for Salah to prove that the fee was a bargain.

The 28-year old has made 165 appearances in all competitions for Liverpool, scoring 104 goals. He has dovetailed well with Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino, playing a crucial role as Liverpool won the Premier League as well as the Champions League.


#4 Kylian Mbappe - Paris Saint-Germain | $42 million

Kylian Mbappe in action for France
Kylian Mbappe in action for France

Already a superstar at the age of 21, Kylian Mbappe is seen as the future, but in the present he is one of the best footballers in the world.

Viewed by many critics as the heir to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's throne, Mbappe has firmly established himself as a global superstar. After a breakthrough season with AS Monaco, Mbappe made the news when Paris Saint-Germain splurged £130 million to make him the scond-most expensive footballer in the world.

He has proven to be a shrewd investment, and has made 133 appearances in all competitions, scoring 99 goals. For France, he was one of the stars at the 2018 World Cup, winning the Best Young Player award, and playing a key role as France lifted the trophy.


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