The 10 highest paid players in the Saudi Pro League

Over the last year Saudi Pro League demonstrated its financial leadership through contracts with top European football talent. The PIF which owns Newcastle United gained control over the Saudi Pro League's top four clubs Al Nassr, Al Hilal, Al Ittihad and Al Ahli to offer better wages than most players can refuse.

Our list shows the top ten Saudi Pro League players who make the highest salaries without bonus payments.

10. N’Golo Kanté – £418,066 per week

N'Golo Kanté finished his Chelsea trophy collection before joining Al Ittihad on a free transfer in 2023. The World Cup champion signed a two-year deal that includes a weekly payment of £418,066. Beyond his success at matches in Saudi Arabia N'Golo Kanté bought Belgian team Royal Excelsior Virton as a part of his sideline achievements. The National Team recalled him to their Euro 2024 squad because of his outstanding play.

9. Aleksandar Mitrović – £418,066 per week

After moving from Fulham to Al Hilal for £46 million in 2023 Aleksandar Mitrović secured a weekly salary of £418,066. During his first Saudi Pro League season Serbian striker scored 40 times in 43 matches and secured Saudi Pro League, Saudi Super Cup, and King Cup titles for Al Hilal.

8. Sergej Milinković-Savić – £418,066 per week

In 2023 Al Hilal acquired Sergej Milinković-Savić from Lazio through a £34 million deal to replace multiple top clubs including Juventus and Premier League teams. After moving from Italy to Saudi Arabia the Serbian player saw his salary leap from £99,312 per week to £418,066 in weekly earnings. Through 14 goals and stellar performances Neves helped the team become champions alongside teammate Ruben Neves.

7. Kalidou Koulibaly – £580,276 per week

The Senengalese defender Koulibaly switched to Al Hilal through a £17 million offer during 2023 but lasted just one season with Chelsea. After signing for three years the Senegalese defender earns the highest pay for his position at £580,276 per week.

6. Sadio Mané – £668,906 per week

Al Nassr signed Sadio Mané in 2023 on a four-year contract with a weekly pay package of £668,906 despite his struggles at Bayern Munich last season. The Senegalese winger continues his charitable work beyond football by buying French club Bourges Foot 18. Since beginning the 2023/24 season he has returned to top form by scoring 19 goals and making 11 assists in all competitions.

5. Riyad Mahrez – £872,923 per week

After five successful years at Manchester City, Riyad Mahrez capped off his Premier League journey by winning the treble: During the 2022/23 season Sadio Mane helped his team win all major domestic and continental titles for club sports. After leaving Manchester City for Al Ahli the Algerian winger secured a £872,923 weekly contract that amounts to £45.3 million each year which makes him the highest paid African Player. At 33 he demonstrated his skills in Saudi Arabia with 12 goals and 14 assists during his first season.

4. Ivan Toney – £1,000,000 per week

Ivan Toney surprised everyone when he left Brentford for Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia without moving to another Premier League team. His new job brought him a large raise that increased his weekly pay to £1 million before taxes. After tax his standard wages now reach £400,000 weekly with incentives taking him to £500,000 per week as his wages at Brentford stood only at £20,000 weekly. Despite his Premier League goal-scoring talent Toney needs to show us how well he performs in Saudi Pro League now that he has received huge financial gains.

3. Karim Benzema – £1,672,265 per week

After playing 14 years at Real Madrid Karim Benzema started his new Saudi Arabia adventure by signing a three-year contract with Al-Ittihad without costing the club any money. He earned four times more in Saudi Arabia than he did in Spain at £1.672 million per week versus £401,344. As a 36-year-old Benzema still struggles with his Saudi Pro League transition. After scoring nine league goals Benzema struggled with his teammates and coach Marcello Gallardo which led to a serious argument on the training field.

2. Neymar – £1,672,265 per week

When the Al Hilal team bought Neymar for £86 million in 2023 they made history as the first player in Saudi Pro League to surpass that transfer record. Many fans wonder how a single player can demand this much money each week since Neymar receives £1.672 million per week through his contract. The season ended abruptly after only five first-team matches because he suffered a cruciate ligament injury during the international break.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo – £3,344,531 per week

In November 2022 Cristiano Ronaldo departed Manchester United and reached a two-year deal with Al-Nassr. Cristiano Ronaldo holds the top spot as football's highest-paid player since he collects £3.34 million every week. He shows exceptional results at 39 years old since joining Al-Nassr with his 70 matches and 64 goals assisting the team to win the Arab Club Champions Cup.