In May 2026, Forbes released its list of the top 50 highest-paid athletes in the world. The list features sports stars from across the globe, including football, but only one African made the cut: Mohamed Salah.
Salah ranked 47th globally with an estimated $55 million in total earnings, reportedly taking home $35 million on-field and $20 million off-field. Despite his global ranking, the forward remains the highest-paid African footballer in both Europe and Liverpool.
Unlike many African stars whose income is primarily salary-based, Salah earns enormous amounts from endorsements. He currently holds lucrative commercial partnerships with Adidas, Pepsi, Vodafone, EA Sports, Uber, and Oppo. 
The Egyptian ranked as the highest-paid African athlete on the list because Forbes measures total earnings rather than wages alone. Consequently, his off-field earnings refer to revenue generated from brand endorsements, advertising campaigns, image rights, and commercial partnerships.
While several African footballers, especially those in the Saudi Pro League earn massive weekly wages that outpace Mohamed Salah, their off-field portfolios do not match his global reach. According to GiveMeSport, these high-earning players include:
1. Riyad Mahrez
Riyad Mahrez is an Algerian professional footballer who was born on 21 February 1991 in France. According to FIFA, Mahrez is one of the greatest Algerian footballers of all time because of his dribbling, exceptional left foot, creativity, and goal-scoring ability.
Club: Al-Ahli (Saudi Pro League)
Age: 35
Weekly Wage: ~$1.13M–$1.17M
Annual Earnings: ~$57M–$60M+
2. Sadio Mané
Sadio Mané is a Senegalese footballer born on 10 April 1992 in Bambali, Senegal. He plays as a winger or forward for Al-Nassr FC and the Senegal national football team. According to Reuters, he was recently named in Senegal’s provisional squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Club: Al-Nassr (Saudi Pro League)
Age: 34
Weekly Wage: ~$890,000–$900,000
Annual Earnings: ~$50M–$55M
3. Kalidou Koulibaly
Koulibaly is one of the very few defenders in world football earning over half a million pounds per week. The 34-year-old Senegalese international went from being a cult hero at Napoli to a signing at Chelsea, and is now enjoying a highly lucrative career in Saudi Arabia.
Club: Al-Hilal (Saudi Pro League)
Age: 35
Weekly Wage: ~$770,000–$780,000
Annual Earnings: ~$38M–$42M
4. Victor Osimhen
Victor Osimhen is one of the highest-paid young footballers in the world. He stands as both Nigeria’s biggest football star and one of the most expensive African players in history.
Following his permanent transfer from Napoli to Galatasaray, Reuters reported that the historic €75 million deal shattered records as the largest transfer fee in Turkish football history.
Club: Galatasaray
Age: 27
Weekly Wage: ~$340,000–$420,000
Annual Earnings: ~$25M–$30M+
5. Omar Marmoush
Like Osimhen, Marmoush is one of the youngest on the list. After his move from Eintracht Frankfurt to Manchester City in 2025, Marmoush entered the elite bracket of African football earners.
Club: Manchester City (Premier League)
Age: 27
Weekly Wage: ~$400,000
Annual Earnings: ~$20M–$25M+
6. Franck Kessié
Franck Kessié is one of the most decorated Ivorian footballers of his generation. Like Koulibaly, his move to Saudi Arabia dramatically increased his income. According to Rezoboul, his Al-Ahli contract pays roughly $23 million net per year, excluding bonuses and commercial income.
That salary is several times higher than what he earned during his previous stints at A.C. Milan and FC Barcelona.
Club: Al-Ahli (Saudi Pro League)
Age: 29
Weekly Wage: ~$310,000–$313,000
Annual Earnings: ~$25M–$28M
7. Achraf Hakimi
Achraf Hakimi is known as the best African defender in football today. He is also one of the finest and highest-paid right-backs in the game.
As one of the three highest-paid players at PSG, his commercial value continues to rise rapidly, largely because he remains one of the few African superstars consistently competing at the absolute pinnacle of European football.
Club: PSG (Ligue 1)
Age: 27
Weekly Wage: ~$300,000–$310,000
Annual Earnings: ~$22M–$26M
8. Ademola Lookman
Lookman is another Nigerian who makes the list. His income skyrocketed after he became one of Europe’s most sought-after attackers. Before his deal with Atletico Madrid, Lookman had played for Everton, RB Leipzig, Fulham, Leicester City, and Atalanta.
Club: Atlético Madrid
Age: 28
Weekly Wage: ~$270,000+
Annual Earnings: ~$20M–$24M
9. Édouard Mendy
Finally, a goalkeeper. Édouard Mendy is one of Africa’s most successful shot-stoppers and ranks among the highest-paid African players in football today.
In 2023, Mendy left Chelsea to join Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia, a high-profile move that substantially increased his earnings. Before his rise to fame at Chelsea, he played amateur football in France before turning professional with Stade de Reims and Rennes.
Club: Al-Ahli (Saudi Pro League)
Age: 34
Weekly Wage: ~$270,000
Annual Earnings: ~$18M–$22M
SEE ALSO: Meet Moïse Kouamé — The Cameroonian-Ivorian Teen Who Made French Open History
About The Author
Keep Up to Date with the Most Important News
