Top 10 Highest Earning Players in Saudi As Benzema, Ronaldo Top List

• The Saudi Pro League has gained prominence among the world's high-profile footballers in recent years
• However, that is coming at a price, with clubs in the division having to splash huge amounts of money to land the deals
• Cristiano Ronaldo and his former Real Madrid teammate Karim Benzema are currently leading the way in the list of the highest-earning players

The Saudi Pro League is slowly fighting its way into the top as it seeks to find its footing in rivalling the world's top divisions, including the English Premier League.

Founded in 1976, the division is currently composed of 16 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation.

Despite not starting so long ago, the division is slowly gaining prominence, with some of the world's best players moving there.

However, this is coming at a huge price, as clubs have to fork out significant amounts of money to convince the high-profile players to make the moves.

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Cristiano Ronaldo became the top-rated footballer to seal a transfer to the Saudi top-flight back in January, perhaps paving the way for his peers to link up with him there.

His former teammate Karim Benzema recently landed a lucrative deal to sign for Al-Ittihad after cutting ties with Real Madrid.

Reports claim a lot more European players could also join this summer, with The Guardian reporting that the Chelsea midfielder is on the verge of completing a transfer to Al-Ittihad.

Sports Brief takes a look at the top 10 best-paid players in the Saudi Pro League per 90min.

10. Gustavo Cuellar (Al-Hilal)

Weekly wage: £65,000

Gustavo has spent close to three years in the Saudi Pro League, racking up more than 100 appearances in the process.

9. Odion Ighalo (Al-Hilal)

Weekly wage: £72,000

The Nigerian international has been plying his trade in the Saudi Pro League for a couple of years since leaving Man United, where he spent a loan spell.

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He has been hitting double-digit league goals in the division during his three-year stint with both Al-Shabaab and Al Hilal.

8. Luciano Vietto (Al-Hilal)

Weekly wage: £77,000

The Argentinian ace quit Europe football in 2020 before he moved to Saudi.

7. Moussa Marega (Al-Hilal)

Marega is best remembered for his successful stint with FC Porto, where he once hit the 20+ magical tally for goals.

The striker scored 13 times during his debut in the Saudi Pro League campaign.

6. Ahmed Hegazi (Al-Ittihad)

Weekly wage: £97,000

The Egyptian defender's stint in Europe came with West Brom before he decided to move to the Middle East.

He recently captained Al-Ittihad to title glory.

5. Anderson Talisca (Al-Nassr)

Weekly wage: £100,000

4. Matheus Pereira (Al-Hilal)

Weekly wage: £107,000

The Brazilian stunned many when he decided to dump West Brom for a move to Saudi with Al-Hilal.

However, it appears the move was not in vain, with Pereira now among the best-paid players in the division.

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3. Ever Banega (Al-Shabab)

Weekly wage: £176,000

The veteran midfielder helped Sevilla to Europa League glory in 2020 before departing for Al-Shabab in the Saudi Pro League.

2. Karim Benzema (Al-Ittihad)

Weekly wage: £3.58m

The Frenchman is the latest addition to the Saudi Pro League.

Benzema sealed a move to Al-Ittihad after calling time on his Real Madrid career.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr)

Weekly wage: £3.6m

The football icon is the best-paid player in the Saudi Pro League, thanks to the lucrative deal he penned with Al Nassr in January when he joined them.

Ronaldo sealed the transfer after Manchester United cut ties with him.