From Cristiano Ronaldo to Lionel Messi, here is a list of five richest footballers in 2025 by Forbes. The list also features the likes of Karim Benzema, Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland as Forbes released the list of richest footballers for 2025-26 season on Thursday (Oct 16). 

From Cristiano Ronaldo to Lionel Messi, 5 richest footballers in 2025 by Forbes

Karim Benzema has returned to his former club, Real Madrid, to undergo recovery from a recurring injury that has plagued his stay in Saudi Arabia this season. His current club Al Ittihad on Thursday (May 2) confirmed that the French star had indeed returned to the Los Blancos.

Karim Benzema returns to Real Madrid; Saudi club Al-Ittihad issue statement

A French court on Thursday threw out a defamation case brought by professional football player Karim Benzema against Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin. The French 2022 Ballon d'Or winner wrote on X, formerly Twitter, in October that Palestinian civilians in Gaza were in his prayers over what he called Israel's "unjust bombardments" of the besieged territory, after the October 7 attacks on Israel by Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Football: France court rejects Karim Benzema slander case against minister

Karim Benzema wants to leave his Saudi club Al-Ittihad after a bust-up with management, a source close to the club told AFP on Tuesday (Jan 23). The 36-year-old former Real Madrid striker held a "raging" meeting with the club and its Argentinian coach Marcelo Gallardo last Friday, the source said.

Karim Benzema intends to quit Saudi club after fallout with management: Reports

Former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has filed a defamation suit against French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin for accusing him of having links with the Muslim Brotherhood, according to local media reports.

Former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema files defamation suit against French minister

Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad refused to play their second Asian Champions League match against Iran's Sepahan club on Monday (October 2). The Saudi club and its players declined to come out of the dressing room after reporting the presence of a bust of assassinated Iranian general Qassem Soleimani.

Why Karim Benzema's Al-Ittihad refused to play against Iranian team in Asian Champions League

A revamped Saudi Pro League (SPL) is all set to take centre stage from Friday, August 11 and will mark the start of a new era in the country’s football chapter. Public Investment Fund (PIF) has been pivotal to the league's latest inning, having attracted a host of big-name players from Europe.

EXPLAINED | Why Saudi Pro League will be new centre of attraction in world football

France forward Karim Benzema was officially unveiled as the new Al Ittihad player in front of 60,000 supporters inside the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium with the former Real Madrid player deciding to play his trade in the Saudi Pro League.

Karim Benzema unveiled as an Al Ittihad player in front of 60,000 fans in Saudi Arabia

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is on a roll. From football to golf to boxing to F1, the Middle East nation is flexing its muscles big time. On Tuesday, within a matter of hours, the kingdom announced the signing of Real Madrid superstar Karim Benzema as an Al-Ittihad player, while PGA Tour declared it was ready to merge operations with LIV Golf.

Explained | Golf, soccer, cricket and more - Is Saudi Arabia the next sporting wonderland?

Real Madrid's Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema will join Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia after signing a three-year deal with Al-Ittihad, the Jeddah-based club confirmed on Tuesday.

Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema inks three-year deal with Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad

Argentine World Cup winner player Angel Di Maria has left Italian giants Juventus after one year, bringing to an end his short stint at the helm of the record Serie A champions on Wednesday (June 7).

Serie A: Angel Di Maria leaves Juventus after one season, likely to follow Karim Benzema in Saudi Pro League

Real Madrid's Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema has signed for Saudi Arabia's Al-Ittihad for three years starting next season, a source in the Jeddah-based club told AFP on Tuesday.

Karim Benzema signs for Saudi Arabia's Al-Ittihad after Real Madrid exit - Reports

The mercurial Zlatan Ibrahimovic has retired from football at the age of 41. The Swedish Superstar leaves behind a rich legacy after winning titles in Netherlands, Italy, France and Spain. Karim Benzema has left Real Madrid after 14 glorious years at the Bernabeu. Who is the better striker?

Ibrahimovic retires, Benzema bids farewell to Real Madrid | WION Sports Extra

Luka Modric and Hugo Lloris feature on a list of "more than 10" top-level Saudi Arabian football transfer targets headed by Lionel Messi and Karim Benzema, a source close to the negotiations has told AFP.

Luka Modric, Lionel Messi among 'ten top-level stars' on list of Saudi transfer targets

In a shocking turn of events, French striker Karim Benzema has decided to leave Real Madrid this summer after spending 14 seasons with LaLiga giants. The club broke the news in an official statement, posted on its social media handles, saying, ‘Real Madrid CF and our captain Karim Benzema have agreed to end his brilliant and unforgettable period as a player for our club.

Real Madrid confirm French striker Karim Benzema leaving club this summer after 14 seasons

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema insisted on Thursday that "reality is not the internet" in response to rumours of a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia. "Why am I going to talk about the future if I am in Madrid?

Karim Benzema plays down rumoured lucrative move to Saudi Pro League, says 'I'm here' at Madrid

Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio struck for Real Madrid as they dominated 10-man Chelsea and opened up a 2-0 Champions League quarter-final first leg lead on Wednesday.

Champions League: Real Madrid thump Chelsea 2-0 to secure early advantage; Milan beat 10-man Napoli 1-0

When Karim Benzema struck a magnificent hat-trick against Barcelona last week in the Copa del Rey, it served a dual purpose. The striker knocked Real Madrid's bitter rivals out of the Spanish Cup at Camp Nou, and, with the world watching on, issued a powerful statement of intent as the season reaches its business end.

Real Madrid's Karim Benzema raring to go against Chelsea

Carlo Ancelotti believes Karim Benzema, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos will stay at Real Madrid next season, the Los Blancos coach told a news conference Friday. The trio are out of contract at the end of the current season and Ancelotti confirmed Modric and Kroos are now speaking with the club about their futures.

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti feels the legendary trio of Benzema, Modric and Kroos will stay

Lionel Messi has returned to doing what he does best, scoring goals and winnings awards. Already termed as one of the most decorated footballers in history, Messi on Sunday completed his 700th club goal in his incredible career and is also close on winning the FIFA’s ‘Best Male Player of the Year 2022’ award on Monday in Paris.

Record-breaker Lionel Messi completes 700 club goals, to fight Benzema, Mbappe for FIFA's 'Best Player' award

Holders Real Madrid produced a stunning comeback from two goals down to earn a devastating 5-2 victory at a shell-shocked Liverpool in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday.

Holders Real Madrid come from two down to earn a stunning 5-2 win vs Liverpool

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti sounded defensive in the aftermath of the 3-1 loss against rivals Barcelona in the Spanish Supercopa final on Sunday. Ancelotti said the talks of 'sporting humiliation' after the defeat were disrespectful.

Talks of 'sporting humiliation' disrespectful: Carlo Ancelotti after defeat against Barcelona

French football player Karim Benzema's agent has lashed out at the French national team management and manager Didier Deschamps for sending Karim home prematurely from the FIFA World Cup 2022.

Karim Benzema was fit but sent home prematurely: Agent lashes out at France boss Deschamps

France striker Karim Benzema announced his retirement from international football on his 35th birthday on Monday, a day after Les Bleus lost to Argentina on penalties in the World Cup final.

Karim Benzema drops shocking bombshell, announces retirement from international football

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