There is no ambiguity about the gap.
That spread underlines two truths. First, elite forwards still dominate the very top of the pay scale. Second, the Saudi Pro League continues to reshape football’s wage map faster than any European competition.
The list is packed with Saudi-based names. Al Nassr, Al Hilal and Al Ahli all feature heavily, with players such as Kalidou Koulibaly, Ivan Toney, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Theo Hernández reportedly among the game’s biggest earners.
This is not just about attracting stars in their thirties anymore. The broader message is market power. Saudi clubs are not merely competing for headlines; they appear to be setting salary benchmarks that even Europe’s richest sides are often reluctant to match.
At Real Madrid, Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius Junior are listed level on $690,000 a week, a reminder that the club’s superstar core remains intact. The update also says Vinicius has signed a new long-term deal, which matters almost as much as any summer signing.
Elsewhere, Mohamed Salah is reportedly set for Trabzonspor, placing him among the notable movers on the list. That makes his next chapter one of the more intriguing subplots of the season.
The next question is whether this ranking still looks the same by the winter window. Contract renewals, one more Saudi push, and the future of Europe’s biggest stars could shift the order again before the season settles.