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If not Mbappe, then who is the highest earner in LaLiga this season?
Kylian Mbappe will be one of the biggest names in LaLiga next season after being unveiled as a Real Madrid player this week. However, when it comes to wages, the French star is set to miss out on the top spot, with two Barcelona stars pipping the Galatico to number one and two.
Here’s a breakdown of the top 10 highest-paid players in LaLiga for the upcoming season, with each player's earnings and club highlighted.
Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid) - £12.2m
Starting off the top 10 is Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, with an annual wage of £12.2 million. Despite missing a large portion of last season due to an ACL injury, Courtois remains one of the best goalkeepers in the league.
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Real Madrid will hope that Courtois’ return to consistent football will allow him to return to his best or they will have a steep price to pay for the remaining two years of his contract.
Federico Valverde (Real Madrid) - £12.6m
Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde is ninth with an annual salary of £12.6 million. The Uruguayan midfielder is known for his versatility and energy on the pitch, making him a crucial player for the club.
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Valverde has been with Real Madrid since joining the club’s youth ranks in 2016, and has risen through the franks to become one of the most important parts of Los Blancos’ well-oiled machine, earning him a new five-year contract in 2023.
Ilkay Gundogan (Barcelona) - £14m
Former Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan, now at Barcelona, earns £14 million per year, placing him eighth on the list.
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The experienced German midfielder brought his leadership and skill to Barcelona’s midfield on a free transfer, fresh off helping Manchester City win the treble in 2023. Gundogan’s free transfer allowed him to negotiate a tasty salary for himself.
Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) - £15.8m
Jude Bellingham, who joined Real Madrid last summer, is in seventh place with an annual wage of £15.8 million.
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The young English midfielder had a stellar debut season after joining Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund last summer, earning accolades and establishing himself as one of the top talents in LaLiga.
The English star is another of Real Madrid’s players considered a favourite for the Ballon d’Or after helping Los Blancos to a league and Champions League double in his first season.
Vinicius Jnr (Real Madrid) - £17.5m
Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jnr shares the fifth spot with Jan Oblak, earning £17.5 million annually.
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The Brazilian forward had an outstanding season with Los Blancos, contributing significantly to Madrid’s attacking prowess, with 24 goals and 11 assists in 39 matches, despite an injury-ravaged campaign.
His impressive performances have made him a fan favourite, a major contender for the 2024 Ballon d’Or, and a key player for Real Madrid’s present and future.
Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid)- £17.5m
Atletico Madrid's Jan Oblak is the only player outside of Real Madrid and Barcelona to make the top 10 list and only the second goalkeeper.
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The Slovenian shot-stopper earns £17.5 million per year, placing him in fifth position alongside Ballon d’Or contender Vinicius Junior.
Oblak's consistent performances since joining have cemented his reputation as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, justifying his substantial salary.
David Alaba (Real Madrid) - £19m
Real Madrid defender David Alaba ranks fourth with an annual salary of £19 million. The versatile Austrian has been a crucial part of Madrid’s defence, despite suffering an ACL injury that kept him out since December.
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Alaba suffered a set-back in his rehabilitation that will see him out for longer than expected, but will surely return to take his place as a key player for Real Madrid.
Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid) - £26.3m
Newly-signed Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe comes in third with an annual salary of £26.3 million. Although this figure is lower than what he earned at PSG, Mbappe's move to Madrid comes with a substantial signing-on fee of over €100 million (£85.6m) and an 80% share of image rights from new commercial deals.
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This unique arrangement breaks from the club’s typical 50-50 split policy and significantly boosts Mbappe's overall earnings, meaning he will likely be the top-earning Madridista by a mile.
Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) - £28.2m
Barcelona forward Robert Lewandowski takes the second spot with a reported annual wage of £28.2 million.
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The prolific Polish striker continues to be a key figure for Barcelona since joining from Bayern Munich in 2022, helping the Blaugrana to the league title in his first season with the club.
Lewandowski has been a consistent goal-scoring threat during his spell with Barcelona, scoring 59 goals in 95 matches.
Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona) - £31.6m
At the top of the list is Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong. The Dutch midfielder, who has been linked with a move to Manchester United over the past few seasons, earns an impressive £31.6 million annually, a probable reason why he vehemently refused a transfer.
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Despite Barcelona's financial struggles, de Jong remains the highest-paid player in LaLiga after getting some of his deferred wages from the COVID-hit seasons moved to the latter part of his contract.
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