Mohamed Salah, the Egyptian king of Liverpool, stands as one of the best footballers in Europe today. His incredible skills, consistent performances, and undeniable influence on the pitch have made him a global football icon. However, despite Salah’s prestigious position in world football, there are seven players across Europe who, surprisingly, earn more than his £350,000 weekly wage. His current contract at Anfield is entering its final year, but discussions regarding a new deal have been painfully slow for both the player and the club.
With Salah’s future at Liverpool uncertain, and the club seemingly struggling to agree on terms, it’s an interesting moment to reflect on the salaries of some of Europe’s most well-compensated players. We’ve conducted some research and compiled a list of the seven players who currently take home a larger weekly paycheck than the Egyptian forward.
Kevin De Bruyne: £400,000 per week
Kevin De Bruyne, the maestro of Manchester City, might not be in his prime anymore, but his influence on the pitch still remains unrivaled. At present, De Bruyne’s future at City is more in doubt than it has ever been before, with rumors swirling about his potential departure. Nevertheless, the Belgian international still commands a massive wage of £400,000 per week, placing him among the highest-paid footballers in Europe.
While it might make sense for Manchester City to consider moving on from an injury-prone 34-year-old, given his recent issues with fitness, his contribution to the team on the pitch remains invaluable. De Bruyne is a creative genius capable of changing games with a single pass or moment of brilliance. His vision, precision, and ability to control the flow of a match are unmatched, making his £400,000 weekly salary justifiable, at least from a footballing perspective.
City would likely find it nearly impossible to replace De Bruyne’s ability to dictate play. While the club’s finances might benefit from freeing up such a massive wage, his potential departure would leave a void that is hard to imagine filling.
Erling Haaland: £375,000 per week
Erling Haaland is another player whose wage is likely just the tip of the iceberg, especially when you consider the numerous goal bonuses and performance-related incentives that he surely activates on a regular basis. Haaland’s base wage is an impressive £375,000 per week, which makes him the second-highest-paid player in the Premier League, behind only Kevin De Bruyne.
The Norwegian striker has become one of the most feared goal-scorers in Europe, and his weekly wage is a reflection of his incredible goal-scoring abilities. Haaland’s impact at Manchester City has been immediate and devastating, and his goals have played a major role in the club’s recent successes. With a natural ability to score from almost any position on the field, Haaland has established himself as one of the most dangerous forwards in world football.
City’s investment in Haaland has paid off immensely, and it seems likely that his wage will continue to rise as long as his goal-scoring form remains as strong as ever. His incredible physicality, speed, and clinical finishing have made him an integral part of City’s attacking strategy, and at £375,000 per week, the club is undoubtedly getting value for money.
Harry Kane: £400,000 per week
Despite finishing last season without a major trophy, Harry Kane had a remarkable year and has continued his fine form since moving to Bayern Munich. The England captain’s tally of 44 goals across all competitions last season was the highest in Europe, and he is already well on his way to another impressive season in 2024-25, with 20 goals in just 19 appearances.
Kane’s weekly salary comes in at £400,000, which is comparable to the wages of some of the world’s most elite players. While his career at Tottenham had been defined by individual success but collective failure, his move to Bayern Munich has allowed him to showcase his talents on a new stage. His wages reflect not only his incredible goal-scoring record but also his status as one of the world’s top strikers.
It’s interesting to note that Kane’s goals, in terms of financial output, are worth roughly £480,000 each, based on his £21 million yearly salary. This makes him one of the most efficient goal-scorers in terms of wages, and he’s certainly delivered the goods for Bayern since his arrival.
Robert Lewandowski: £539,000 per week
At 35 years old, Robert Lewandowski may not be at the peak of his career anymore, but he still possesses one of the sharpest goal-scoring instincts in football. The Polish striker has proven time and again that age doesn’t diminish his ability to score goals. Lewandowski has netted an impressive 22 goals for Barcelona this season, further cementing his place among the world’s best.
Lewandowski earns a staggering £539,000 per week, making him one of the top earners in Europe. While his wage is certainly hefty, it’s hard to argue that Barcelona isn’t getting their money’s worth. Lewandowski’s experience, leadership, and ability to lead the line for a club in transition make him an invaluable asset to Barcelona’s rebuilding efforts.
In addition to his weekly wage, Lewandowski likely earns a significant amount in bonuses based on goals scored and team performance. The Polish forward has long been one of the most consistent and prolific strikers in Europe, and his wages reflect his sustained level of excellence.
Kylian Mbappe: £1.1 million per week (previously), £500,000 per week (currently)
Kylian Mbappe has long been considered one of the brightest young stars in world football. During his time at PSG, he was the highest-paid player in Europe, earning an eye-watering £1.1 million per week. His salary was a reflection of his extraordinary talent, as well as the status he held as one of the most marketable players in the world.
However, since his move to Real Madrid, Mbappe’s wages have taken a hit. The French forward now earns £500,000 per week at Madrid, still making him one of the top earners in world football, but significantly less than his previous salary at PSG. Despite this reduction in earnings, Mbappe remains the highest-paid player at Madrid, and his wages reflect his superstar status at the club.
Given his enormous wages and the high expectations surrounding him, Mbappe is under immense pressure to perform for Real Madrid. His transition from PSG to Madrid has been closely watched by fans and critics alike, and there is no doubt that he will be expected to live up to the hype surrounding his move. After a slow start at Madrid, Mbappe will need to find his rhythm quickly if he is to justify his salary and continue his rise to superstardom.
David Alaba: £364,000 per week
David Alaba, a key figure in the heart of Real Madrid’s defense, earns £364,000 per week, which is more than his teammates Luka Modric, Vinicius Junior, and Jude Bellingham. Alaba joined Real Madrid as a free agent in 2021, and since then, he has become an important part of the team, making over 100 appearances and helping the club win eight major trophies.
Alaba’s wage might seem high, but his consistency, versatility, and leadership on the pitch make him a valuable asset to the team. He is capable of playing in multiple positions across the defense, and his ability to read the game and provide stability at the back is crucial for a team with such lofty ambitions as Real Madrid.
After spending a year on the sidelines due to injury, the 32-year-old Austrian will be eager to get back onto the pitch and contribute to the team’s ongoing success. His wage, while significant, is a reflection of his importance to the team, and he will no doubt continue to justify it with his performances once fully fit.
Dusan Vlahovic: £354,000 per week
Dusan Vlahovic, the Serbian striker for Juventus, is the highest-paid player in Serie A, earning £354,000 per week. This puts him ahead of some of the other top earners in Italy, including Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez, who earns over £80,000 less than Vlahovic.
Vlahovic finished last season as Juventus’ top scorer, and he has continued his fine form into the current season, with nine goals in 16 appearances in 2024-25. While his wages are certainly high, Vlahovic’s performances on the pitch have made him one of the most sought-after strikers in Europe. However, whether he has fully justified his hefty wage is still a matter of debate.
Despite his impressive goal-scoring record, Vlahovic has yet to achieve the same level of success on the European stage as some of the other players on this list. As Juventus continues to rebuild and push for major honors, Vlahovic will need to maintain his form and help lead the team to success if his £354,000 weekly salary is to be fully justified.
