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The 2021 summer transfer window was one of the more exciting ones in recent years, with unexpected moves and surprise signings.
It was also the window when the football landscape began to change. La Liga's dominance is now faltering, with Premier League the best league in the world and Ligue 1 housing the best squad in Europe in the form of Paris Saint-Germain.
The financial implications of the pandemic did not stop top clubs from investing big transfer fees and wages. Atletico Madrid's players, including Luis Suarez and the returning Antoine Griezmann, took hefty pay cuts to help their club's wage structure.
However, that has not been the case for many clubs. Premier League clubs continued to spend heavily, while movement was visible in Serie A and the Bundesliga as well.
We look at the 10 highest-paid football players in the world this season (2021/22).
Source: Spotrac and RadioTimes
#10 Jadon Sancho (Manchester United) | £350,000 per week
A long saga came to an end this summer when Manchester United signed Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund for £76.5 million.
Regarded as one of the best young players in world football, Sancho was heavily linked with a move to Manchester United last summer, but a move failed to materialize. The 22-year old moved to the Premier League this summer after three seasons of elite performances for the Bundesliga giants.
Sancho will be familiar with the Manchester setting, having spent some time in Manchester City's academy before moving to Germany. The England international solves a problematic right-wing position for Manchester United, but Sancho can operate on the left-wing as well.
#9 Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich) | £350,000 per week
Robert Lewandowski is one of the best players in world football, and the best striker in the world.
Lewandowski is an extremely prolific goalscorer who has been Bayern Munich's superstar and talisman since joining the club in 2014. The Poland international joined the Bavarian giants after his contract with Borussia Dortmund ended, and many regard his transfer as one of the best in football history.
With Bayern Munich, Lewandowski has won seven Bundesliga titles and a Champions League trophy. The 33-year old has made 333 appearances for Bayern Munich, scoring 301 goals and providing 65 assists.
#8 David de Gea (Manchester United) | £375,000 per week
There was a point last decade when David de Gea was comfortably the best goalkeeper in the world.
De Gea was often the difference between a Manchester United win and a Manchester United loss during that time. The Spain international has not displayed such extraordinary consistency in recent days, but he remains a reliable presence between the sticks for the Old Trafford outfit.
The emergence of Dean Henderson threatened de Gea's position in the first XI last season, but the 30-year old has begun this season as the preferred no.1. However, with Henderson returning to full fitness, de Gea's position still isn't secure.
#7 Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) | £400,000 per week
Kevin De Bruyne has arguably been the best player in the Premier League since joining Manchester City from Wolfsburg for nearly £69 million in 2015.
De Bruyne definitely did not come cheap, and eyebrows were raised at the hefty transfer fee. The Belgium international has proved to be worth the buy though, with his creativity, intelligence and technical qualities pivotal to Manchester City's success under Pep Guardiola.
The 30-year old is the most important player in arguably the best team in Europe. De Bruyne signed a new contract with Manchester City earlier this year, extending his stay with the club for another four years.
#6 Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain) | £410,000 per week
Kylian Mbappe dominated the headlines during the latter stages of the summer transfer window as Real Madrid pursued him heavily.
Mbappe's move to Real Madrid looks like it is not a matter of if, but when. The Spanish giants have been tracking the superstar forward for some time now and see him as their Cristiano Ronaldo replacement. Mbappe, for his part, is said to be intent on moving to Real Madrid as soon as possible.
The 22-year old is one of the best in the world, and has developed well since joining Paris Saint-Germain from AS Monaco for £130.5 million. The France international's contract with the Ligue 1 giants expires next year.
#5 Eden Hazard (Real Madrid) | £416,000 per week
Before Real Madrid started making a concerted effort to sign Kylian Mbappe, it was Eden Hazard who was supposed to fill the Cristiano Ronaldo-shaped hole in Real Madrid's attack.
Hazard's spell in the Premier League with Chelsea has been well-covered. Regarded as one of the best players in the English top-flight in recent history, Hazard joined Real Madrid in 2019 for a fee of £103.5 million and spent an impressive seven seasons with the Blues.
The Belgium international has failed to replicate his Chelsea form at Real Madrid. Hazard has had terrible luck with injuries since moving to Spain, and has failed to string together consistent appearances for the club. Time is running out for the 30-year old to establish himself as a starter for Real Madrid.
#4 Gareth Bale (Real Madrid) | £500,000 per week
Gareth Bale's relationship with Real Madrid might not be very good, but there is no denying the impact he has had at the club.
Bale caught the attention of the world after a world-class 2012/13 season with Tottenham Hotspur. Real Madrid signed the Wales international for a then-world record fee of nearly £91 million that summer and the forward enjoyed some good initial seasons with the club.
Bale helped Real Madrid win four Champions League trophies and two La Liga titles. The 32-year old, however, infamously fell out with the club's supporters and joined Tottenham Hotspur on loan last season. He is back in Madrid now, where he is reportedly in Carlo Ancelotti's plans.
Also Read: 5 players with the best passing range in world football at the moment (2021)
#3 Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United) | £510,000 per week
Cristiano Ronaldo completed a surprise return to Manchester United a few days ago after three seasons with Juventus.
One of the best players to have played the game, Ronaldo returns to Manchester United after 12 seasons. The Portugal international made his name in England playing a starring role for Manchester United. He will hope to have a similar impact during his second spell with the club.
The 36-year old might not be the player he once was, but he remains an extremely prolific goalscorer and one of the fittest athletes in world football. Ronaldo's arrival has propelled Manchester United to title contenders, according to various critics.
#2 Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain) | £606,000 per week
Neymar is a bonafide superstar of the game and a world-class talent who has become a phenomenal footballer.
A prodigious talent during his Santos days, Neymar was always destined for the very top. The Brazil international moved to Barcelona in 2013, where he formed a fearsome attacking trident with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez and helped Barcelona win two La Liga titles and a Champions League trophy.
Neymar became the most expensive footballer in the world when he moved to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 for nearly £200 million. The 29-year old recently signed a new deal with Paris Saint-Germain which will see him remain at the club until 2025.
#1 Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain) | £960,000 per week
Arguably the greatest footballer to have played the game, Lionel Messi is the highest-paid footballer in the world.
Messi made his debut for Barcelona in 2004 and soon became the most important player for the club. The Argentina international is regarded as Barcelona's greatest ever player, with his creativity, goalscoring and dribbling all seen as the best in the world.
Messi controversially moved to Paris Saint-Germain last month on a free transfer. The 34-year old will play alongside Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in Paris, and Mauricio Pochettino's men are now favorites to win the Champions League.
Also Read: 5 teams with the best midfield in Europe right now (2021)
