The landscape of football is often defined not just by the skill and prowess showcased on the pitch but also by the financial investments made off it. In the realm of Ligue 1, where talent and ambition collide, the concept of salary has become a significant measure of a player’s stature. At the summit of this financial hierarchy lie the highest-paid Ligue 1 players, individuals whose earnings not only reflect their exceptional abilities but also signify the ambitions and aspirations of their respective clubs. Discover with bestsoccertips the top 10 highest paid ligue 1 players, where salaries reach unprecedented heights and the pursuit of success knows no bounds.
List of 10 highest paid Ligue 1 players
10. Keylor Navas – €209,808
Considered surplus by Real Madrid, Navas completed a €15 million transfer to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2019. The goalkeeper was displaced by Gianluigi Donnarumma and spent the latter half of the 2022/23 season on loan at Nottingham Forest.
According to Le Parisien, he turned down a move to Saudi Pro League’s Al-Hilal in the summer as his family was content in the French capital. The 36-year-old player has yet to feature for the first team in the 2023/24 season, and his €209,808 per week contract is set to expire at the end of the 2023/24 season.
9. Randal Kolo Muani – €244,808
Muani featured prominently for Eintracht Frankfurt in the 2022/23 season, attracting attention from top clubs across Europe, including Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich.
However, PSG emerged victorious in the race for his signature, agreeing to pay the Bundesliga club an initial €75 million and an additional €15 million in potential bonuses. The French international signed a five-year contract and saw a significant increase in wages, from €28,846 per week at Frankfurt to €244,808 per week in Paris.
8. Gianluigi Donnarumma – €244,808
Donnarumma departed AC Milan in difficult circumstances in the summer of 2021 after rejecting a contract offer of €7 million per year and letting his contract expire. The Italian goalkeeper accepted a more lucrative offer from Paris Saint-Germain, who agreed to pay him €12.7 million per year. Initially sharing goalkeeping duties with Keylor Navas, he later asserted himself as the number one at Parc des Princes.
He brings unique experience. He is a top player, different from others, said coach Luis Enrique. “I am truly happy to have him in the team. As a person, he is even bigger. He has a great heart and character, someone who always leaves a positive impact”.
7. Achraf Hakimi – €279,808
Paris Saint-Germain made a remarkably hefty investment, shelling out a total of €68 million to sign Achraf Hakimi from Inter Milan in 2021. This sum made him the most expensive right-back of all time, marking a significant milestone in the club’s transfer history. Alongside this impressive transfer fee, PSG also committed a substantial wage for Hakimi, with weekly earnings amounting to €279,808.
PSG’s investment has been somewhat offset by Achraf Hakimi’s outstanding development at Parc des Princes. The Moroccan international not only adapted but flourished in the PSG jersey, also earning recognition from the global football community by featuring in the FIFA FIFPRO World 11 in 2022. This demonstrates that PSG’s decision was not just about expenditure but also about investing in the talent and long-term potential of the player.
6. Marco Asensio – €279,808
As his playing opportunities dwindled at Real Madrid, Marco Asensio grew increasingly disheartened with his diminishing role within the team. Despite receiving a contract offer from the club, he opted to seek opportunities elsewhere, eventually departing on a free transfer as the 2022/23 season came to a close. Prior to joining Paris Saint-Germain on a three-year deal, the Spanish international also spurned a lucrative proposal from Aston Villa.
While PSG didn’t incur any transfer fees for acquiring Asensio’s services, the substantial weekly wage reported for the player, amounting to €279,808, underscores the significant financial commitment involved in securing his talents. This highlights that while the transfer itself may not have required an upfront payment, the ongoing cost of his wages portrays this acquisition as far from economical.
5. Milan Skriniar – €314,615
Skriniar left Inter Milan on a free transfer at the end of the 2022/23 season after negotiations for a new contract broke down. Inter vice president Javier Zanetti told DAZN: “The way things went was very simple – we offered an extension within our reach [financially], he evaluated it and declined”.
The Slovakian international signed a five-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain, and his weekly wage increased from €106,923 to €314,615. He replaced Sergio Ramos at Parc des Princes and has established an impressive center-back partnership with Marquinhos.
4. Marquinhos – €323,077
Since joining Paris Saint-Germain from Roma in 2013, Marquinhos has made over 400 appearances for the club and inherited the captain’s armband from Thiago Silva in the summer of 2020. The Brazilian international penned a new five-year contract with the club in May 2023, with his weekly wage reaching €323,077.
“It’s an honor for me,” he said of his new deal. “The club has shown trust in me in both difficult and favorable times. It’s a very nice gesture from them. I’m proud, it motivates me. It pushes me. I have to give everything on the field to honor this jersey.” The 29-year-old player is said to have received offers from Saudi Pro League clubs Al Nassr and Al Ittihad in the summer, but he remains content in Paris.
3. Lucas Hernandez – €365,386
Hernandez spent four years at Bayern Munich, winning four Bundesliga titles, DFB-Pokal, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup. The French international seemed poised to sign a new contract at the Allianz Arena, but he took a turn after receiving a lucrative offer from Paris Saint-Germain.
He completed a €45 million transfer to the Ligue 1 club in the summer and signed a five-year contract worth €365,385 per week. This left-back is now the third-highest-paid defender in Europe’s top 5 leagues, behind Manchester United’s Raphael Varane and Real Madrid’s David Alaba.
2. Ousmane Dembele – €384,615
Following the departure of Lionel Messi at the end of the 2022/23 season, Paris Saint-Germain returned to Barcelona and activated a €50 million release clause in Dembele’s contract. According to The Athletic, Barcelona only received half of the transfer fee, with the remaining €25 million going to Dembele and his representatives.
In addition to that payment, the 27-year-old French player will also receive €384,615 per week from PSG for the next five seasons. However, he endured a difficult start to the 2023/24 season, and PSG is reportedly willing to let him leave on loan in January.
1. Kylian Mbappe – €1,384,615
Kylian Mbappe is making waves not only with his on-field performances but also with his unbelievable salary at Paris Saint-Germain. With a staggering €1.38 million per week, he has surpassed all competitors to become the highest-paid player in Europe’s top 5 leagues. However, even this figure pales in comparison when placed against the impressive salary offered by Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal.
Al-Hilal publicly announced their readiness to spend up to €700 million per year to acquire Kylian Mbappe in the summer transfer window. This is an impressive figure, causing other clubs to look up and marvel at the financial might of the club in the Middle East.
However, Mbappe turned down this enticing offer from Al-Hilal. Instead, he has informed Paris Saint-Germain of his decision: he will not extend his current contract with the Ligue 1 club beyond 2024. This opens up a host of questions and speculations about Mbappe’s future as his influence and value continue to soar in the international transfer market.
Conclude
In conclusion, the realm of Ligue 1 boasts some of the highest-paid footballers in the world, reflecting the league’s growing prominence and the ambition of its clubs to compete at the highest level. From established veterans to rising stars, these players command salaries that not only reward their talent but also underline the financial investment and competitive drive within French football. As the sport continues to evolve, the salaries of Ligue 1 players serve as a barometer of success and ambition, shaping the landscape of football both domestically and internationally.
