Cristiano Ronaldo is the highest-earning footballer this season and leads a top-ten group making a combined $945 million. He is 40 but chose to continue his career by signing a new two-year deal with Al Nassr. Forbes estimates he will earn $230 million from the club and another $50 million from endorsements, giving him a total of $280 million.
His earnings keep him at No. 1 for the sixth time in ten years. Only Floyd Mayweather has made more in a single year among active athletes tracked by Forbes. Ronaldo’s total is far ahead of Lionel Messi, who is second with $130 million.
The top ten players together are expected to earn $945 million this season. The cutoff for the list rose to $43 million, which is the total earnings of Lamine Yamal, the youngest player ever to make the top ten at just 18 years old. Neymar dropped out after ending his Al Hilal contract and returning to Santos on a much lower salary.
Footballers Who Make Most Money From Instagram
Cristiano Ronaldo – $3.2 Million per Post
Cristiano Ronaldo earns more from Instagram than any other footballer, with an estimated $3.2 million for each post. He has 668 million followers and remains the most-followed person in the world. At age 40, he plays for Al Nassr and is expected to make $280 million this season, with $230 million coming from his contract and $50 million from endorsements. His YouTube channel, UR Cristiano, has about 77 million subscribers, and across all digital platforms, he has close to 1.04 billion followers, the highest for any individual globally.
Lionel Messi – $2.59 Million per Post
Lionel Messi earns an estimated $2.59 million for each Instagram post, making him the second-highest earner on the platform. He has 510 million followers and remains one of the most popular athletes in the world. He is expected to make $130 million this season, with $60 million from playing for Inter Miami and $70 million from endorsements. At age 38, he signed a multi-year extension with the MLS club until 2028.
Neymar – $1.14 Million per Post
Neymar earns an estimated $1.14 million per Instagram post. He has 231 million followers and remains one of the biggest football personalities online. He has signed a new contract with Santos, keeping him at the club until the end of 2025, with an option to extend it through the 2026 World Cup. The new agreement also includes a separate image-rights deal between Santos and NR Sports. Santos will pay at least $15 million for sponsorship and investment income generated through Neymar’s presence.
Kylian Mbappé – $380,000 per Post
Kylian Mbappé makes about $380,000 per Instagram post and has 128 million followers. For this season, his total earnings are $95 million. He earns $70 million on the field with Real Madrid and $25 million off the field. Mbappé is also involved in a legal dispute with PSG, claiming $61 million in unpaid wages, though he has dropped another lawsuit related to unfair treatment. He owns more than 10% of Loewe, holds 80% of Stade Malherbe Caen, and has invested in Wristcheck and the France SailGP Team through his company, Coalition Capital.
David Beckham – $290,000 to $350,000 per Post
David Beckham earns about $290,000 to $350,000 per Instagram post and has 88.4 million followers. His net worth in 2025 is about $450 million. Beckham grew up in London and joined Manchester United as a teenager, where he earned between $1.3 and $2.7 million per year. He now runs a large business empire through DRJB Holdings Limited, which includes David Beckham Ventures, Seven Global, and Studio 99. His companies reported $36.2 million in pre-tax profit in 2023.
Karim Benzema – $265,500 per Post
Karim Benzema earns about $265,500 per Instagram post and has 75.5 million followers. In 2025, his total earnings are $104 million, with $100 million from on-field salary at Al Ittihad and $4 million from off-field endorsements. At 37, Benzema has scored four goals in the Saudi Pro League this season. His contract with Al Ittihad ends this year, and he may return to Europe, possibly to join Benfica under José Mourinho. Benzema has promoted brands like Adidas and Assaf Perfumes on social media.
List of Footballers Earning the Most from Instagram:
| Footballer | Instagram Earnings per Post | Followers |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | $3.2 million | 668 million |
| Lionel Messi | $2.59 million | 510 million |
| Neymar | $1.14 million | 231 million |
| Kylian Mbappé | $380,000 | 128 million |
| David Beckham | $290,000–$350,000 | 88.4 million |
| Karim Benzema | $265,500 | 75.5 million |
FAQs
Q. Who is the most followed footballer on Instagram?
A. Cristiano Ronaldo is the most followed footballer, with over 660 million followers.
Q. Who is the highest-earning footballer this season?
A. Cristiano Ronaldo earns $280 million, with $230 million from Al Nassr and $50 million from endorsements.
Q. How much does Lionel Messi earn this season?
A. Messi earns $130 million total, with $60 million from Inter Miami and $70 million from endorsements.
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