In 2025, top 5 highest paid players Ligue 1 2025 are dominated by Paris Saint-Germain stars, with massive contracts reflecting their star power. HartGoal will take you through who they are, how much they make, and why they command such wages.
Who ranks at the top
Here are the top 5 highest paid players in Ligue 1 for the 2025-2026 season, based on base gross salary (excluding bonuses). All figures are.
| Rank | Player | Club | Annual gross salary* | Weekly gross salary* |
| 1 | Ousmane Dembélé | PSG | ~ €18,000,000 | ~ €346,154 |
| 2 | Khvicha Kvaratskhelia | PSG | ~ €16,360,000 | ~ €314,615 |
| 3 | Marquinhos | PSG | ~ €13,450,000 | ~ €258,654 |
| 4 | Achraf Hakimi | PSG | ~ €13,200,000 | ~ €253,846 |
| 5 | Lucas Hernández | PSG | ~ €13,200,000 | ~ €253,846 |
Figures refer to base gross salaries — before bonuses, taxes, image rights. Weekly wages are annual divided by 52 approx.
Why these players top the list
Beyond raw money, there are reasons each of these players are at the summit of pay in Ligue 1.
- Star status & market appeal: Ousmane Dembélé remains PSG’s most eye-catching attacker, bringing flair, speed, and commercial pulling power. That justifies his top salary.
- Recent transfers or big contracts: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia joined PSG in early 2025, and his deal is one of the major contracts of the winter transfer window.
- Experience and leadership: Marquinhos, a veteran and Paris loyal, contributes far more than just defending; his leadership and consistency are valuable on and off the pitch.
- Positional premium + performance: Full-backs like Hakimi and versatile defectors like Lucas Hernández are in demand in modern football for their attacking output, defensive work, and adaptability. PSG rewards that.
Broader context: Ligue 1 wage structure
To understand how extreme those salaries are, here’s what else is known about wages in Ligue 1 in 2025:
- PSG holds the biggest wage bill in Ligue 1 by far; a large portion of the league’s top earners are in Paris.
- The average Ligue 1 player salary is much lower — in the region of €700,000 per season for many players outside the elite stratum.
- Salary gap: there is a big divide between PSG’s top stars and players at smaller clubs. Even among PSG’s squad, the drop.
Predictions and what’s likely to change
- With financial fair play regulations under increasing scrutiny, PSG may need to balance big salaries vs. squad depth. Some contracts may be structured to include more performance bonuses.
- Emerging talents could break into the top 5 if they show consistent high-level performance or move clubs for big fees.
- External factors: endorsements, commercial deals, image rights may tilt actual take-home pay in ways not reflected in these base salary figures.
Conclusion
In conclusion, top 5 highest paid players Ligue 1 2025 are:
- Ousmane Dembélé
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
- Marquinhos
- Achraf Hakimi
- Lucas Hernández
These players earn between ~€13 million and ~€18 million annually in base salary, making them the elite earners in France’s top flight. HartGoal hopes this breakdown helps you understand not just who is paid most — but why.
If you like, I can also compile a top 10 highest paid or compare salary vs performance metrics so you see who’s getting value. Do you want me to pull that together?
