Kylian Mbappe tops Forbes' football rich list for first time, above Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi

Kylian Mbappe is now football’s highest earner, according to a new report from Forbes. The 23-year-old France international was believed to be close to a free transfer move to Real Madrid this summer, but instead signed a new deal to stay with Paris Saint-Germain until 2025.

Ad There were reports that PSG’s Qatari owners were determined not to lose their star French player and it appears they pulled out all the financial stops in order to persuade him to remain at Parc des Princes. Premier LeagueTen Hag: We can match Man City, but it will take months7 HOURS AGO Forbes has now reported that the new contract has helped Mbappe to earn more than $100 million (£90.3m) for the first time in his career.

Mbappe has started the new season in good form with 11 goals from 11 appearances. He has scored 182 goals in 222 appearance so far for his club after joining from Monaco in 2017 on an initial loan deal.

The news organisation claims that the former Monaco striker will earn around $128m this season, before any agents’ fees and tax payments, making him the highest-paid player in the world. The report claims that Mbappe earns $110m from a combination of wages and his signing-on fee, and another $18m is due from his commercial deals including sponsors Nike, Dior, Hublot, Oakley and Panini.

Ten Hag: We can match Man City, but it will take months Cooper signs new deal at Forest to end sack speculation Getafe manager Flores backs Benzema: 'He will be the next Ballon d'Or' In recent years, Cristiano Ronaldo and Mbappe’s PSG team-mate Lionel Messi had occupied the top two spots, but the United striker is now third, with Messi second. Ronaldo is expected to pick up $100m, with his $60m in endorsements making him the top earner off the