Kylian Mbappé Tops Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo on Forbes' Highest Paid Footballers List

• Forbes magazine has named Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe as the world’s highest-paid soccer player
• Followed closely are Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo who occupy the second and third spots respectively
• Another Paris Saint-German player Neymar and Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah complete the top five on the list

France international Kylian Mbappe has emerged as the world's highest-paid football player.

The Paris Saint-Germain forward has become the first player other than his club teammate Lionel Messi and Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo to have topped the list in eight years.

According to America's business magazine, Forbes, Mbappe is estimated to pocket $128 million for the 2022-23 season before agents’ fees, a record for Forbes’ annual rankings.

Second on the least is seven-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi, who earns in the region of $120 million, and Manchester United superstar Ronaldo occupies the third position at $100 million.

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Brazil and PSG playmaker Neymar ($87 million) and Liverpool's Egyptian King Mohamed Salah ($53 million) rounded off the top five.

In-form Manchester City striker Erling Haaland occupies the sixth spot as he made his first appearance in the top 10 with earnings of $39 million.

Mbappe and Haaland are the only footballers under the age of 30 who made the list.

Per Forbes reports, the meteoric rise of the deadly duo indicates a switch in the global game as Messi and Ronaldo triumphant careers edges closer to the end.

The report further claims that the 10 highest-paid footballers are expected to earn an amount of $652 million this season, up 11% from last year’s $585 million.

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Sports Brief earlier reported that The debate about who the better player is between Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe and Manchester City's Erling Haaland rages on, with football fans having their opinions on the two rivals.

Both players are widely considered the future of football, with many pundits reckoning the duo will continue the legacy of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Former Barcelona forward Luis Suarez seems to have settled the argument, after claiming Haaland is his favourite player because he scores more than Mbappe.