Top 20 Highest-Paid Players in La Liga

Kylian Mbappe, despite signing a staggering £505,000-per-week contract with Real Madrid, isn't the highest-paid player in La Liga.

By: Anna Ciao

07/22/2024 07:00

Kylian Mbappe's arrival at Real Madrid has finally put an end to the years-long saga surrounding his connection with the reigning European champions. After announcing his departure from PSG, it was widely anticipated that the French superstar would move to Madrid, and the transfer has now been officially confirmed.

Despite joining the Spanish giants, Mbappe will take a significant pay cut, having previously held the most lucrative contract in football history. His deal with Los Blancos includes a variety of lucrative incentives and bonuses, but his weekly salary won't make him the highest earner in La Liga.

With players from Madrid and Barcelona leading the list, it's no surprise that financial constraints are in place, particularly for the Catalan club. Below is a list of the 20 highest-paid players in La Liga.

Top 20 Highest Paid La Liga Players
Rank	Player	Club	Salary (£)
1	Frenkie De Jong	Barcelona	£605,999 p/w
2	Robert Lewandowski	Barcelona	£538,612 p/w
3	Kylian Mbappe	Real Madrid	£505,000 p/w
4	David Alaba	Real Madrid	£363,600 p/w
=5	Jude Bellingham	Real Madrid	£336,613 p/w
=5	Jan Oblak	Atletico Madrid	£336,613 p/w
=5	Vinicius Jr	Real Madrid	£336,613 p/w
8	Ilkay Gundogan	Barcelona	£303,000 p/w
9	Federico Valverde	Real Madrid	£269,387 p/w
10	Thibaut Courtois	Real Madrid	£242,400 p/w
=11	Eder Militao	Real Madrid	£235,613 p/w
=11	Antonio Rudiger	Real Madrid	£235,613 p/w
13	Ansu Fati	Barcelona	£225,432 p/w
14	Jules Kounde	Barcelona	£218,968 p/w
=15	Rodrygo	Real Madrid	£202,000 p/w
=15	Raphinha	Barcelona	£202,000 p/w
=15	Aurelien Tchouameni	Real Madrid	£202,000 p/w
=15	Eduardo Camavinga	Real Madrid	£202,000 p/w
=15	Antoine Griezmann	Atletico Madrid	£202,000 p/w
20	Clement Lenglet	Barcelona	£193,920 p/w

10. Thibaut Courtois

£242,400 p/w

Thibaut Courtois has carved out an incredibly successful career, boasting two Champions League titles and multiple domestic honors. The Belgian goalkeeper has solidified his reputation as one of the game's finest.

Earning nearly a quarter of a million pounds per week, the former Chelsea and Atletico Madrid player is generally worth the investment. However, a severe ACL injury sidelined him for much of the 2023/24 season. Despite this setback, Courtois made a triumphant return just in time to keep a clean sheet in this year's Champions League final, showcasing his exceptional abilities once more.

9. Federico Valverde

£269,387 p/w

In a team brimming with superstar midfielders, Federico Valverde has won over the Bernabeu faithful with his tireless performances and versatility, always ready to play wherever he’s needed. This doesn't mean he lacks talent—quite the opposite. Despite being more suited to a central role, he often finds himself playing on the right of midfield.

The 25-year-old is well compensated for his sacrifices, earning close to £300k per week, which likely eases the frustration of playing out of position. Valverde might be one of the most underrated names in world football, but at least his club appreciates his value.

8. Ilkay Gundogan

£303,00 p/w

It is well documented that Barcelona have struggled with their finances in recent years. Contracts like Ilkay Gundogan's offer a clear insight into why. Despite being one of the best players in his position, paying such a high wage to a player who will turn 34 in October might not be the smartest decision.

Perhaps the fact that the German was signed on a free transfer allowed him to increase his salary demands. Regardless, questions still need to be asked about deals like this, especially when Joan Laporta continues to push for a Super League.

7. Vinicius Jr

£336,613 p/w

The next three players on this list are tied for fifth place. Vinicius Jr, in particular, might be considered deserving of a higher ranking. The Brazilian forward is arguably one of the best players in the world right now, having scored in two Champions League finals and established himself as Real Madrid's most crucial attacking threat.

Despite his impressive achievements, three of his teammates either earn the same or more than him. It's conceivable that the dynamic winger will eventually sign a new deal that places him among the highest-paid stars in Spain.

6. Jan Oblak

£336,613 p/w

Jan Oblak is the only player in the top ten who doesn't play for either Real Madrid or Barcelona. The Slovenian goalkeeper had big shoes to fill when he replaced long-standing loanee Courtois in 2014. Over the next decade, Oblak established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the world.

Despite frequent interest from other clubs, Oblak remained loyal to Diego Simeone and Atletico Madrid, and his loyalty has been rewarded financially. He now earns more than Courtois, making him one of the highest-paid goalkeepers globally, second only to Manuel Neuer.

5. Jude Bellingham

£336,613 p/w

Jude Bellingham's salary is likely to increase in the coming years. In just one season in the Spanish capital, Bellingham has already established himself as a crucial player in Carlo Ancelotti's squad. The Englishman finished as Real Madrid's top scorer in La Liga and was named the La Liga Player of the Season.

With Mbappe's arrival, Bellingham might face increased competition, but it could also motivate him to elevate his game further, proving his worth not only at Madrid but also on the global stage. At just 20 years old, Bellingham has over a decade ahead of him to continue earning substantial sums.

4. David Alaba

£363,600 p/w

Much of what applies to Thibaut Courtois can also be said about David Alaba. When fit, the Austrian defender is among Europe's elite. Unfortunately, an ACL injury not only shortened his season but also means he will miss representing his country at Euro 2024.

Alaba's free transfer from Bayern Munich to Real Madrid allowed him to command significantly higher wages than if a transfer fee had been involved. At 32, he is certainly well-compensated, though there are still three players in La Liga who earn more than him.

3. Kylian Mbappe

£505,000 p/w

Kylian Mbappe's long-anticipated move to Real Madrid has seen him secure a staggering weekly wage of over half a million pounds. Despite this impressive salary, he does not hold the top spot as the highest-paid player in La Liga.

The French forward, who has already amassed numerous domestic titles in France and a World Cup victory with his national team, joins the Spanish giants with the expectation of achieving even greater success. His transfer to Real Madrid represents one of the biggest moves in recent football history, and Mbappe is poised to make a significant impact.

While his salary reflects his star status, there are still two players in Spain who earn more. Mbappe’s move is not just a significant career milestone but also a strategic move to elevate his game and potentially capture the elusive Champions League trophy that has so far eluded him.

2. Robert Lewandowski

£538,612 p/w

Robert Lewandowski's weekly earnings exceed Kylian Mbappe's by over £30,000. This disparity is understandable given Barcelona's urgent need for a prolific striker two years ago, combined with Lewandowski’s desire for a new challenge after his dominance in the Bundesliga.

With a salary surpassing £500,000 per week, there are valid concerns about whether investing such a substantial amount in an aging forward is justified. Although Lewandowski continued to score goals last season, there has been a noticeable decline compared to his previous performances. This raises the question of whether this high expenditure might prove to be another costly decision by Joan Laporta and his team.

1. Frenkie De Jong

£605,999 p/w

Given the enormous salary Frenkie De Jong is earning at Barcelona, it's no surprise he's eager to remain at the club. The scale of his wage makes it challenging to imagine any other major European club offering a comparable package.

Recent speculation about De Jong leaving the Nou Camp often appears driven by Barcelona’s urgent need to offload his substantial wages rather than any lack of appreciation for his talent. Despite his undeniable skill, this situation highlights one of the most glaring examples of Barcelona's ongoing financial mismanagement.

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Written by: Anna Ciao

Anna Ciao is a sports content contributor at Betimate. Born and raised in a rural village in China, I have had a passion for football and various sports such as basketball, volleyball, badminton, from a young age. Along with diligent studies, I achieved an IELTS score of 8.0 in the English language, and I have become a content contributor specializing in sports, particularly football, as I am today. I hope that my articles are helpful to readers.