Graziano Pellè`s career move to China marked a pioneering step for Italian footballers seeking lucrative opportunities abroad. Today, Italy`s roster of top earners reflects a diverse mix of talent, with players competing in Serie A, the Premier League, and clubs across the Arabian Peninsula.
Over recent years, numerous Italian footballers have significantly boosted their earnings by moving to foreign leagues, though this often meant compromising their sporting ambitions. Stephan El Shaarawy and Graziano Pellè are prime examples, both having played in China with reported salaries of €15 million per season. More recently, their impressive earning records have been surpassed by the transfers of Mateo Retegui and Marco Verratti, who now stand as the highest-paid Italian players globally. The current top 10 list of Italy`s wealthiest footballers showcases a blend of talent from Italy`s Serie A, England`s Premier League, and France`s Ligue 1.
The World`s Highest-Paid Italian Footballers
- 1. Marco Verratti
- 2. Mateo Retegui
- 3. Sandro Tonali
- 4. Federico Chiesa
- 5. Gianluigi Donnarumma
- 6. Nicoló Barella
- 7. Alessandro Bastoni
- 8. Federico Dimarco
- 9. Lorenzo Pellegrini
- 10. Riccardo Calafiori
