10 highest paid footballer in Spain 2025: Lewandowski outpaces Mbappe, Real Madrid overspend on 1 star

While the Premier League is often called the most attractive league on the planet due to its high tempo, La Liga maintains a unique and powerful allure. This is largely driven by its two "golden geese," Real Madrid and Barcelona. The fierce race for every single point between these 2 giants, recurring season after season, ensures that the Spanish top flight is never left too far behind its English counterpart. 

To maintain this global appeal, both clubs must engage in a continuous "arms race," bringing in world-class superstars. To secure these talents against interest from wealthy English teams, the Spanish giants must offer incredibly lucrative contracts. According to Livescorecz, the generosity of these two clubs still dominates Europe, as the highest paid footballer in Spain 2025 actually sits at the very top of the entire continent’s salary rankings.

The 10 highest paid footballer in Spain 2025

10. Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid)

The Belgian wall currently earns approximately £243,437 per week, totaling nearly £12.7 million per year. This compensation was solidified in his last contract extension back in 2021, a significant increase from his previous deal. 

Courtois arrived at the Bernabéu from Chelsea in 2018 for around £31 million. Over his 7 years in Madrid, he has made over 240 appearances, winning 3 La Liga titles and 2 Champions Leagues. In the 2025/26 season, after fully recovering from a previous ACL injury, he has already played 41 matches across all competitions.

9. Federico Valverde (Real Madrid)

Valverde earns £270,540 per week, roughly £14 million annually. This reflects his 2023 contract renewal, which saw his salary nearly double to reflect his status as an indispensable "engine." Joining Madrid as a teenager from Peñarol in 2016, the Uruguayan has evolved into a global star. With over 270 appearances and 25 goals, he has won every major trophy, including 2 Champions Leagues. In the current 2025/26 campaign, Valverde has featured in 41 games, contributing 8 goals and 10 assists.

8. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)

The 18-year-old sensation recently signed a blockbuster deal worth £270,540 per week (£14 million per year), an astronomical rise from his initial youth contract. Yamal is a product of La Masia, having been with the club since age 7. Since his debut, he has broken nearly every "youngest player" record in La Liga and Barcelona history. He was pivotal in Spain's Euro 2024 triumph and has become the face of the "New Barça." This season, Yamal has already netted 19 goals and provided 13 assists in 35 appearances, justifying every penny of his new wage.

7. Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona)

De Jong takes home £308,354 per week, approximately £16 million per year. This base salary is part of the deal he signed in 2020. He joined Barcelona from Ajax in 2019 for €75 million. Despite constant transfer rumors to the Premier League, De Jong has remained a midfield pillar for 6 years, playing over 220 matches. He won the 2022/23 La Liga title and was named in the Team of the Season. 

6. Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid)

The only non-Real or Barça player in the top 10, Oblak earns £338,053 per week (£17.5 million per year). This deal, signed in 2022, made him the highest-paid goalkeeper in the world at the time. Oblak joined Atletico from Benfica in 2014 and has since won 5 Zamora trophies. He was a key figure in their 2020/21 La Liga title.

5. Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)

Bellingham earns £338,053 per week, totaling £17.5 million per year, as part of the 6-year contract signed when he arrived from Borussia Dortmund in 2023 for €103 million. In his debut season, he won La Liga and the Champions League while being named La Liga Player of the Season. In the current season, he has contributed 6 goals and 4 assists in 28 games.

4. Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid)

Mirroring Bellingham, Vinícius earns £338,053 per week. His 2023 contract extension significantly boosted his earnings from his original 2018 deal when he joined from Flamengo. With over 280 appearances and 90+ goals, he has scored in 2 different Champions League finals (2022 and 2024). 

3. David Alaba (Real Madrid)

The Austrian defender receives £365,156 per week, approximately £19 million per year. This high wage was possible because he joined as a free agent from Bayern Munich in 2021. Alaba brought an immediate winning mentality, helping Madrid to a double in his first season. However, given his extensive injury history over the last 3 seasons, Real Madrid are looking to part ways with Alaba soon to offload his massive wage bill.

2. Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid)

The French superstar earns £507,161 per week, totaling over £26 million per year. He joined Real Madrid on a free transfer from PSG in the summer of 2024. While this is a decrease from his astronomical wages in Paris, his signing bonus makes him the wealthiest player in the squad. In his first full season (2024/25), he scored 44 goals. In 2025/26, he has still maintained his brilliant form, the French forward already scored 26 goals in 34 matches, proving to be the "Galactico" Madrid fans always wanted.

1. Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)

Topping the list as the highest paid footballer in Spain 2025/26 is Lewandowski, earning £540,918 per week (£28 million per year). This reflects the final tier of his escalating contract signed when he moved from Bayern Munich in 2022 for €45 million. Lewandowski has been clinical, winning the Pichichi in his first season and helping Barça to the 2022/23 title. Even at 37, he remains lethal, in this season, he has scored 16 goals in 34 appearances.

List of the top 10 highest paid payers in La Liga 2025/26: 

1. Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona): £540,918/week

2. Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid): £507,161/week

3. David Alaba (Real Madrid): £365,156/week

4. Vinícius Jr (Real Madrid): £338,053/week

5. Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid): £338,053/week

6. Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid): £338,053/week

7. Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona): £308,354/week

8. Federico Valverde (Real Madrid): £270,540/week

9. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona): £270,540/week

10. Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid): £243,437/week

Looking at the statistics provided by Livescorecz.net, the question remains: Are Mbappé or Lewandowski worthy of their position? Besides, many fans might feel that Jan Oblak's salary is high compared to Atletico's recent trophy drought, while players like Yamal, despite their high pay, are still arguably "undervalued" given they are carrying the future of their clubs on their shoulders.

Beyond La Liga, Livescorecz will soon bring readers similar in-depth stories about other top European leagues, don't miss out! If you are looking for a reliable platform for the latest news, live scores, and expert pre-match analysis, we are confident in providing the best experience in the football world.