The world’s biggest soccer clubs are now valued in the billions, as top players captivate fans worldwide.
Offenses have continued to improve in speed, spacing, and sophistication so clubs pay high wages to defenders who can slow down the best attackers.
The highest-paid soccer defenders earn more than some strikers and midfielders.
Kalidou Koulibaly is the highest-paid defender in 2024. He makes $36.5 million annually playing for Al Hilal.
Koulibaly signed a 3-year deal in 2023 that will net him a total of $104.1 million to play in the Saudi Pro League. Koulibaly led Al Hilal to an unbeaten record and a championship in his first season.
Aymeric Laporte is second on the list, earning $25.8 million. The Al Nassr star central defender has earned $53 million throughout his career. He will earn an additional $73.5 million while playing with the Saudi side.
Laporte has won six trophies, all during his time with Manchester City.
Third on the list is Real Madrid’s David Alaba. The 31-year-old earns $23.7 million a year to secure their defense. Alaba’s deal includes an $850 million release clause, the highest of any player on the list.
He’s also won the most individual awards, including being named to UEFA’s Team of the Year three times.
Lucas Hernández of PSG makes $19 million for fourth. He’s one of only two defenders on the list to win the Champions League and the World Cup.
Three of the top 10 highest-paid defenders play for PSG. Real Madrid and PSG are the only clubs with multiple defenders among the top 10 highest-paid.
Ranking The Highest-Paid Soccer Defenders
Here is the entire list of the highest-paid soccer defenders. The list was compiled with data from Capology.
- Updated: December 13, 2024
| Rank | Player | Team | Total Compensation |
| 1 | Kalidou Koulibaly | Al Hilal | $36.5 million |
| 2 | Aymeric Laporte | Al Nassr | $25.8 million |
| 3 | David Alaba | Real Madrid | $23.7 million |
| 4 | Lucas Hernández | PSG | $20 million |
| 5 | Marquinhos | PSG | $17.7 million |
| 6 | Milan Skriniar | PSG | $17.2 million |
| T-7 | Reece James | Chelsea | $16.6 million |
| T-7 | John Stones | Manchester City | $16.6 million |
| 9 | João Cancelo | Al Hilal | $16.1 million |
| T-10 | Éder Militão | Real Madrid | $15.4 million |
| T-10 | Antonio Rüdiger | Real Madrid | $15.4 million |
| 12 | Achraf Hakimi | PSG | $15.3 million |
| 13 | Virgil van Dijk | Liverpool | $14.6 million |
| 14 | Jules Koundé | Barcelona | $14.3 million |
| T-15 | Ben Chilwell | Chelsea | $13.3 million |
| T-15 | Josko Gvardiol | Manchester City | $13.3 million |
| T-15 | Wesley Fofana | Chelsea | $13.3 million |
| 18 | Matthijs de Ligt | Manchester United | $12.95 million |
| 19 | Mohamed Simakan | Al Nassr | $12.9 million |
| 20 | Min-Jae Kim | Bayern Munich | $12.64 million |
| T-21 | William Saliba | Arsenal | $12.6 million |
| T-21 | Harry Maguire | Manchester United | $12.6 million |
| T-22 | Rúben Dias | Manchester City | $11.96 million |
| T-22 | Trent Alexander-Arnold | Liverpool | $11.96 million |
| T-22 | Manuel Akanji | Manchester City | $11.96 million |
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