For much of 2017, 2018, and 2019, it’s been fair to say that the attacking trio of Liverpool FC is among the best in the world. Their attack has often been lauded as the most fluent and functional attack in the world game, with Roberto Firmino the front of the three-pronged attack. On his sides are Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah. However, would you be shocked to find out that you could trade the wages of Neymar Jr, and pay Mane, Firmino, and Salah? And still have some money left over?
Neymar is on around $105m/year at the moment according to the sports betting site Findbettingsites.co.uk. Despite being happy to take a wage drop to go back to FC Barcelona, the move failed and instead he remained in Paris. His wage is a whopping $80m ahead of Salah himself, who manages to pull in $25.1m per year. To contrast, Gareth Bale and Antoine Griezmann are both expected to earn more, with the duo earning around $27.1m a year based on reports. With bookmakers sponsoring a large number of Premiership and Champions League teams its no surprise they can afford to spend such obscene amounts of money.
In the Premier League, though, only Mesut Ozil of Arsenal ($30.2m) and Paul Pogba of Manchester United ($33m) earns more than Salah. In total he ranks as the 12th highest paid player in the world at present. Premier League former stalwart Alexis Sanchez is on the list, though he now plays in Italy with Internazionale.
The Egyptian, though, is currently the highest paid player at Liverpool. It’s estimated that Virgil van Dijk, Sadio Mane, and Allison Becker are all close to his wage. In the list of the top 20 earners in world football, though, Salah is the only Liverpool player to be listed.
Who else earns close to what Salah brings in?
On the list provided, the next player after Salah is Angel di Maria. The Argentina on around $23.7m per year is the fourth player to be from Paris Saint-Germain on this list – they are the team with the most members on the list. Another surprise, though, is that two players from China alone – Graziano Pelle and Oscar – are both on the list. Oscar actually earns more than Salah, showing the disparity in earning potential in Asia versus Europe for players willing to move.
The lowest paid player on the list is that of Gerard Pique, who has to make do on a “paltry” $21.7m. Outside of Salah, the only other Premier League player to appear on this list is that of Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero.
The Argentina striker earns around $22.6m and is the only player to take part in the English top flight. On the list, you notice an immediate collection of nationalities who are among the highest earners: Brazil, France, and Spain. Given all three are among the most successful international teams in history, that should come as little surprise.
For Salah, though, he flies the flag for other African players who are looking to make a name for themselves. Without doubt, he’s an icon and an inspiration for many in the African game and beyond.
