The FIFA Club World Cup is where the world’s top clubs compete for global supremacy — but in 2025, it’s also a showcase of some of football’s wealthiest superstars. Beyond their brilliance on the pitch, today’s elite players are global brands in their own right, commanding multimillion-dollar deals through salaries, sponsorships, and endorsements.
As the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup kicks off, all eyes aren't just on the trophies, tactics, or team rivalries — they're also on the jaw-dropping incomes of football's richest icons.
From Lionel Messi’s legacy-fueled marketing empire at Inter Miami to Kylian Mbappé’s dream move to Real Madrid, and Erling Haaland’s record-breaking Premier League contract to Harry Kane’s long-awaited championship with Bayern Munich — these stars are proving that success in football today is as much about business acumen as it is about goals and glory.
In this blog, we explore the five highest-paid players competing at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup — highlighting their career milestones, earnings breakdowns, and brand power both on and off the field.
The FIFA Club World Cup was established in 2000 as a global competition to crown the best club team in the world. It was created to replace the Intercontinental Cup, which had only featured clubs from Europe (UEFA) and South America (CONMEBOL). FIFA’s vision was to expand the competition to include champions from all six continental confederations — UEFA, CONMEBOL, AFC, CAF, CONCACAF, and OFC — along with the host nation's national champion.
The first edition took place in Brazil and featured eight teams. Corinthians, representing the host nation, emerged as the inaugural champions after defeating Vasco da Gama in a dramatic penalty shootout. Despite its potential, the tournament faced logistical and financial challenges and was shelved for several years.
After a five-year hiatus, the tournament returned in 2005 in Japan, this time with a revised format. From then until 2022, the competition was typically held annually with seven teams:
Six continental champions
One champion from the host nation
This era was largely dominated by European clubs, particularly Spanish giants Real Madrid, who won the title five times (as of 2023), followed by Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Liverpool.
Recognizing the need for a more competitive and commercially appealing format, FIFA announced an expanded version of the Club World Cup starting in 2025. This new format features 32 teams and will be held every four years, mirroring the structure of the FIFA World Cup. The 2025 edition, set to take place in the United States, marks a major turning point in the tournament's scope, prestige, and global reach.
The Club World Cup is now considered the ultimate title in club football, bringing together continental champions and offering a rare chance for intercontinental matchups. For clubs, it provides both prestige and commercial value, while for fans, it offers a glimpse of global football excellence on one stage.
Also Read: The Most Expensive Players in IPL History Revealed
The world of football is not just about what happens on the pitch — today’s top players are global celebrities whose incomes are driven as much by their business savvy and brand appeal as by their athletic excellence. In 2025, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, Vinicius Jr., and Harry Kane lead the list of highest-paid footballers, commanding staggering sums both on and off the field. Here's a detailed look at their earnings, career trajectories, and brand affiliations.
Since joining Inter Miami in 2023, Lionel Messi has single-handedly changed the face of Major League Soccer (MLS). His presence has significantly increased ticket sales, merchandise revenue, and media rights value. As a result, Inter Miami's valuation has skyrocketed to an impressive $1.2 billion, making it the second-most valuable club in the league. This transformation illustrates Messi’s enduring impact on and off the pitch.
Messi’s current contract with Inter Miami runs until the end of 2025. While talks are reportedly underway to extend his stay, there remains uncertainty about where he will end his legendary career. Whether he stays in South Florida, returns to Barcelona, or chooses another destination, one thing is clear: Messi’s marketability will remain unmatched.
Messi is one of only four athletes in the world to earn more than $75 million off the field. His brand appeal spans continents and generations. Endorsements with global giants such as Adidas, Lay’s, and Mastercard contribute significantly to his off-field income. His collaborations often transcend football, placing him in elite territory among global icons.
In 2024, Kylian Mbappé fulfilled a long-cherished ambition by signing with Real Madrid after a high-profile exit from Paris Saint-Germain. His move was one of the most talked-about transfers in recent football history. Despite immense individual success, including 42 goals in the 2024–25 season, Real Madrid had a relatively disappointing year — falling short in La Liga and exiting the UEFA Champions League at the quarterfinal stage.
Adding salt to the wound, Mbappé’s former club PSG went on to win the UEFA Champions League, a trophy that has long eluded him. However, the French striker continues to make waves with his performances and remains one of the sport’s most bankable stars.
Mbappé also achieved a major milestone in international football, becoming only the third player in French history to score 50 goals for the national team, joining the ranks of Olivier Giroud and Thierry Henry.
While his off-field earnings stand at $20 million — notably lower than Messi’s — Mbappé’s youth and global appeal make him a rising force in marketing. With Real Madrid's global platform, his brand presence is expected to grow exponentially in the coming years.
Erling Haaland experienced a slight dip in form during the 2024–25 season, scoring 22 goals, seven fewer than Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah who led the Premier League. However, his decline in goal tally did not affect his earning power. Haaland continues to be a key figure for Manchester City and one of the most recognizable athletes in the world.
In January 2025, Haaland made headlines by signing the longest contract in Premier League history — a nine-and-a-half-year extension with Manchester City. The deal ties him to the club until 2034 and surpasses the previous record set by Cole Palmer’s nine-year deal with Chelsea. This contract cements his long-term commitment to City and underscores his value to the club.
Haaland’s sponsor list includes premium brands such as Nike, Clear, and Beats by Dre. Though his off-field earnings are modest compared to Messi and Mbappé, Haaland's endorsements are expected to grow with his international profile.
Vinicius Jr. continues to rise as one of the brightest stars in global football. Winning the FIFA Men’s Player of the Year award in 2024 boosted his reputation immensely. For the fourth season in a row, he scored over 20 goals across all competitions, proving his consistency and value to Real Madrid.
Despite his club success, Vini has struggled to replicate that form for the Brazilian national team, having scored just seven goals in 41 appearances. Still, his potential and skill make him a core figure in Brazil’s footballing future.
Vinicius Jr.'s popularity in South America continues to surge. He is quickly becoming one of the region's most admired athletes, thanks to his dynamic playing style and charismatic personality.
His endorsement portfolio includes leading brands like Gatorade, Pepsi, and Tourism for Dubai. These partnerships not only bring him significant revenue but also help expand his global presence.
Harry Kane has long been regarded as one of the best strikers of his generation, but for years he lacked a major trophy to validate his achievements. That changed in 2025 when Bayern Munich clinched the Bundesliga title, giving Kane his long-awaited first major club honor. The win was especially meaningful after a trophyless spell at Tottenham Hotspur.
Kane’s goal-scoring prowess remains remarkable — he has scored 366 goals in all club competitions and 73 goals internationally. These statistics place him among the all-time greats of the modern game.
Unlike most top footballers who partner with legacy brands like Nike or Adidas, Kane has forged a unique path by becoming the face of Skechers’ soccer division. His partnership with the brand is a long-term investment that reflects his off-field vision and business sense.
While Kane's off-field earnings are lower than others on this list, he retains immense marketability, particularly in the UK and Europe. His clean image, consistent performances, and leadership qualities make him a favorite for endorsements and public appearances.
Al Ahly 0–0 Inter Miami (Hard Rock Stadium, Miami)
Bayern Munich 10–0 Auckland City (Cincinnati)
Paris Saint‑Germain 4–0 Atlético Madrid (Pasadena)
Palmeiras 0–0 Porto (East Rutherford)
Botafogo 2–1 Seattle Sounders (Seattle)
Chelsea 2–0 LAFC (Atlanta)
Boca Juniors 2–2 Benfica (Miami)
Flamengo 2–0 Espérance de Tunis (Philadelphia)
Fluminense 0–0 Borussia Dortmund
River Plate 3–1 Urawa Reds
Mamelodi Sundowns 1–0 Ulsan Hyundai
Monterrey 1–1 Inter Milan
Manchester City 2–0 Wydad AC
Real Madrid 1–1 Al-Hilal
RB Salzburg 2–1 Pachuca
Juventus 5–0 Al Ain
Palmeiras 2–0 Al Ahly
Inter Miami 2–1 Porto
Atlético Madrid 3–1 Seattle Sounders
Botafogo 1–0 PSG
Benfica 6–0 Auckland City
Flamengo 3–1 Chelsea
Espérance de Tunis 1–0 León (LAFC)
Bayern Munich 1–0 Boca Juniors
Borussia Dortmund 4–3 Mamelodi Sundowns
Inter Milan 2–1 Urawa Reds
Fluminense 4–2 Ulsan Hyundai
River Plate 0–0 Monterrey
Juventus 4–1 Wydad AC
Real Madrid 3–1 Pachuca
RB Salzburg 0–0 Al-Hilal
Manchester City 6–0 Al Ain
Atlético Madrid 1–0 Botafogo
Seattle Sounders 0–2 PSG
Inter Miami 2–2 Palmeiras
Porto 4–4 Al Ahly
Auckland City 1–1 Boca Juniors
Benfica 1–0 Bayern Munich
Espérance de Tunis 0–3 Chelsea
LAFC 1–1 Flamengo
Borussia Dortmund 1–0 Ulsan Hyundai
Mamelodi Sundowns 0–0 Fluminense
Inter Milan 2–0 River Plate
Monterrey 4–0 Urawa Reds
Juventus 2–5 Manchester City
Wydad AC 1–2 Al Ain
Al-Hilal 2–0 Pachuca
RB Salzburg 0–3 Real Madrid
Sat, June 28 – 12:00 p.m. ET
Palmeiras vs. Botafogo
Sat, June 28 – 4:00 p.m. ET
Benfica vs. Chelsea
Sun, June 29 – 12:00 p.m. ET
PSG vs. Inter Miami
Sun, June 29 – 4:00 p.m. ET
Flamengo vs. Bayern Munich
Mon, June 30 – 3:00 p.m. ET
Inter Milan vs. Fluminense
Mon, June 30 – 9:00 p.m. ET
Manchester City vs. Al Hilal
Tue, July 1 – 3:00 p.m. ET
Real Madrid vs. Juventus
Tue, July 1 – 9:00 p.m. ET
Borussia Dortmund vs. Monterrey
Fri, July 4 – 3:00 p.m. ET
Round of 16 (1 winner) vs. Round of 16 (2 winner)
Fri, July 4 – 9:00 p.m. ET
Sat, July 5 – 12:00 p.m. ET
Sat, July 5 – 4:00 p.m. ET
Tue, July 8 – 3:00 p.m. ET
Winner QF1 vs. Winner QF2
Wed, July 9 – 3:00 p.m. ET
Winner QF3 vs. Winner QF4
Sun, July 13 – 3:00 p.m. ET at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
Conclusion: Football’s Financial Heavyweights Take Center Stage
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is more than just a contest of clubs—it's a convergence of footballing brilliance and financial might. The tournament showcases not only the skills of global superstars like Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, Vinicius Jr., and Harry Kane but also their dominance off the pitch as some of the world’s highest-paid athletes.
These players represent a new era in football, where athletic excellence is amplified by smart brand building, global endorsements, and long-term commercial strategy. Whether it’s Messi’s transformation of Inter Miami into a billion-dollar brand, Mbappé’s headline-making move to Real Madrid, or Kane’s unique partnership with Skechers, each of these stars demonstrates that football today is a multi-dimensional game—equal parts sport, business, and influence.
As fans watch the Club World Cup for the drama and goals, it’s worth noting that these elite players are also shaping the economics of the sport. Their journeys reflect not just their on-field success, but their ability to turn personal brands into global empires.