Robert Lewandowski Snubs Chance to Join Cristiano Ronaldo on Saudi Pro League Top Earners List

Robert Lewandowski has reportedly rejected a colossal contract offer from Saudi Arabia that could have doubled his current wages and propelled him towards the very top of world football’s rich list.

The Barcelona striker, 37, was approached with a package worth around €100 million per season, according to reports in Spain and Germany.

The deal would have seen him move to the Gulf immediately, but Lewandowski opted to remain at Camp Nou for at least another year.

Robert Lewandowski says no to Saudi Arabia… for now

Lewandowski’s agent Pini Zahavi is said to have requested that discussions be pushed back until next summer, when Lewandowski’s current contract is due to expire. That contract includes an option to extend it by a further 12 months, but it is widely believed that the 2025-26 season will be Lewandowski’s last in La Liga.

Therefore, a lucrative late-career move to Saudi Arabia remains very much a possibility, albeit not until 2026 at the earliest.

Despite the riches on offer, Lewandowski’s priority was seemingly to fulfil his current deal at Barcelona, where he has already won two La Liga titles and remains an important player under coach Hansi Flick.

Lewandowski could have partnered Cristiano Ronaldo

Lewandowski reportedly rejected offers from Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr, with the latter holding particular intrigue. Had Lewandowski accepted Al-Nassr’s offer, he could have lined up alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, who remains the face of the Saudi Pro League project.

Ronaldo’s move to Al-Nassr in January 2023 triggered an influx of stars to the region, including Karim Benzema, Sadio Mane, and Riyad Mahrez. Pairing Ronaldo with Lewandowski — two of the most prolific strikers of their generation — would have been a marquee statement for Saudi football as it continues its push for global attention.

But for now, Ronaldo will continue to spearhead the league’s image alone, with Lewandowski preferring the comforts of Barcelona and European competition.

Who is the Saudi Pro League’s highest earner?

According to Capology, Cristiano Ronaldo — whose net worth is believed to be higher than the likes of Neymar and Lionel Messi — comfortably leads the Saudi Pro League salary table, banking an astonishing €208 million per year. That equates to more than €4m per week and includes a reported €42.8m in annual bonuses.

Behind him, the gulf is vast. Riyad Mahrez sits second on €52.2m per year, closely followed by Karim Benzema on €50m. Sadio Mane (€40m), Kalidou Koulibaly (€34.7m), and Ivan Toney (€25.5m) round out the top six.

Had Lewandowski signed the Saudi offer on the table this summer, his €100m annual salary would have placed him firmly in second place, comfortably ahead of Mahrez and Benzema, and making him Ronaldo’s closest challenger financially.

Instead, Lewandowski remains on Barcelona’s books. He is said to be earning €20.83m per year in Catalonia.

Saudi Pro League’s top 10 highest-paid players 2025

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr) – €208m per year
2. Riyad Mahrez (Al-Ahli) – €52.2m per year
3. Karim Benzema (Al-Ittihad) – €50m per year
4. Sadio Mane (Al-Nassr) – €40m per year
5. Kalidou Koulibaly (Al-Hilal) – €34.7m per year
6. Ivan Toney (Al-Ahli) – €25.5m per year
=7. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Al-Hilal) – €25m per year
=7. Aleksandar Mitrovic (Al-Hilal) – €25m per year
=7. N’Golo Kante (Al-Ittihad) – €25m per year
10. Aymeric Laporte (Al-Nassr) – €24.5m per year