Walk into any bar in Buenos Aires, Lagos, or Lisbon and whisper the name “Messi,” and you’ll prolly ignite a debate louder than the roar of a Champions League final.
Do the same in Kansas City, Miami, or Dallas and say “Mahomes,” and you’ll witness the kind of reverence usually reserved for war heroes and rockstars.
Two different sports. Two different worlds. But one question has always lingered in my mind as someone who loves both: who earns more money, soccer players or football players?
I’m talking big money. Salaries, sponsorships, endorsements, bonuses, image rights, lifetime deals, post-career earnings, and all the dollar signs that come with playing sports at the highest level.
And while the NFL reigns supreme in the United States with its tightly run salary-capped system and gladiator-like spectacle, international soccer; the game most of the world calls “football” operates on a wilder, wealthier, and more global playing field.
So I dug into it. From salary structures and contract guarantees to media empires and cultural differences, here’s the complete story.
Football vs. Soccer
When we say “football players” here, we mean American football—helmeted giants battling it out every Sunday in the NFL.
When we say “soccer players,” we’re talking about the global stars, the ones who make their living playing for clubs like Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Manchester City.
Now, comparing these two is not just apples and oranges.
It’s more like comparing a prime ribeye steak to a global tapas feast; both delicious, but wildly different in flavor, culture, and scope.
In the United States, the NFL is the top. Its players are celebrities. Its games draw millions. And the Super Bowl is practically a national holiday.
However, outside the U.S., soccer is a religion. A universal language. A game played in alleys, deserts, jungles, and city parks.
It doesn’t just entertain, it unites and divides entire nations. And because of this global reach, the economics of soccer explode past borders in a way football just can’t match.
American Soccer Players vs. NFL Players
Let’s start local.
In the U.S., the top soccer league is Major League Soccer (MLS), and while it’s grown significantly, it still can’t compete with the economic muscle of the NFL.
The maximum for a single player is $743,750; the average salary for an MLS player in 2025 was around $530,000, and many players make less than that. Rookies often earn between $70,000 and $150,000.
The league has a strict salary cap system of around $5 million per club, with some flexibility for special signings. There are a few exceptions; the “Designated Player Rule” allows teams to splash out big money on star players without it counting fully against the cap.
That’s how players like Lionel Messi, when joining Inter Miami, can pull in tens of millions.
But for most MLS players, it’s a humble living compared to their football counterparts.
Now, consider the NFL.
The average salary for an NFL player sits between $2.5 million and $3 million per year. Even rookies earn close to $750,000, and the top stars like Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson rake in over $45–50 million annually, not including endorsements.
From a strictly American standpoint, football players make more than soccer players. No contest.
SEE ALSO | Why Does Major League Soccer (MLS) Have No Relegation?
But What About Globally?
Here’s where the pendulum swings hard.
Step out of the American bubble and into the world stage, and soccer takes over. International players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Kylian Mbappé dominate not only the game but also the global earnings chart.
- In 2024, Ronaldo earned over $260 million, with more than half coming from endorsements, sponsorships, business ventures, and even hotel chains.
- Messi followed closely, not only earning from his PSG wages (and now MLS involvement) but also lifetime deals with Adidas, tech brands, luxury fashion lines, and beverage giants.
- Mbappé, despite being younger, already commands a yearly salary of $31.25m, minus commercial and endorsement earnings that are stacking high.
That kind of money is unheard of in the NFL. Even the most celebrated quarterbacks don’t hit those figures annually, especially not through off-field income.
SEE ALSO | How Much Does It Cost to Run a UPSL Team – And Is It Worth It?
Why Soccer Players Earn More Globally
There are several reasons why global soccer players eclipse football players when it comes to income:
1. Global Fanbase
Soccer is not just popular. It’s the most watched sport in the world. Billions of fans across every continent tune in for club matches, national tournaments, and the World Cup.
The Champions League final draws more viewers than the Super Bowl. That kind of exposure translates to money, big money.
2. More Games, More Money
An NFL team plays 17 regular-season games a year. Top soccer teams play upwards of 50 to 60 matches across multiple competitions: domestic leagues, cup tournaments, and continental championships.
More matches mean more ticket sales, broadcast rights, jersey sales, and advertising slots. Which all filters down to the players.
3. Endorsements and Personal Brands
NFL stars like Mahomes and Brady are massive in the U.S., but most soccer stars are global icons. Ronaldo’s Instagram following surpasses 600 million.
That’s more than any human on earth not named Instagram itself.
Brands pay tens of millions to be associated with faces that reach every corner of the planet. And unlike NFL players, soccer stars rarely wear helmets, meaning their image is front and center, every game.
4. Guaranteed Contracts
In the NFL, a $100 million contract might only guarantee $40 million. Teams can cut players and save money, and careers are often short, with an average of just 3.3 years.
Soccer players on the other hand, sign guaranteed contracts.
If you ink a five-year deal worth $100 million, you’re getting that money. Even if you get benched or injured, unless you break your contract, the money’s yours.
SEE ALSO | Who Earns More: Soccer Players Or Basketballers?
Average Salaries Tell a More Complicated Story
Now, not every soccer player earns like Messi.
Most lower-tier soccer leagues and even some top-flight clubs in smaller countries pay far less than the NFL minimum. There are players in Eastern Europe, South America, and Africa earning less than $50,000 per year while playing professionally.
While top international soccer players dwarf NFL stars in earnings, the average professional soccer player worldwide likely earns less than the average NFL player.
It’s a tale of extremes.
Soccer has more poor professionals and more ultra-wealthy megastars. The NFL has a tighter middle ground and more job security for the average pro.
Cultural Capital and Post-Career Income
It’s not just about what players earn while playing. Soccer legends often build empires that last decades after retirement.
- David Beckham owns part of Inter Miami and has partnerships with H&M, Adidas, and Haig Club whiskey.
- Cristiano Ronaldo owns a fragrance line, a hotel chain, and countless business ventures.
- Lionel Messi has global endorsement deals and a personal brand that will likely outlive his playing days.
NFL players can also do well post-retirement—Tom Brady launched TB12, and Peyton Manning is a top TV personality, but the global demand is not the same.
Who Earns More, Soccer Players or Football Players?
Let me put it plainly:
- Top global soccer players earn more than top NFL players.
- Average NFL players earn more than average American soccer players.
- Globally, the average soccer player earns less than the average NFL player, but the wealth gap at the top is far greater in soccer.
If you’re Messi, Ronaldo, or Mbappé, you’re living in a financial universe few can touch, even Mahomes.
However, if you’re an MLS midfielder, chances are your paycheck doesn’t match that of an NFL rookie linebacker.
SEE ALSO | How Much Do Soccer Players Make Per Goal Scored?
Final Thoughts
The numbers tell a story, but it’s about more than numbers. It’s about visibility, global appeal, cultural weight, and the machinery behind each sport.
Football in America is like royalty in its kingdom. Soccer, however, is a world empire. And empires tend to write bigger checks.
Next time someone brings up the debate of “who makes more,” just smile. You’ll know the real answer. It’s not just about who’s paid more; it’s about where, how, and why.
SEE ALSO | Which Is Harder – Playing Soccer or Tennis?
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