Real Madrid and Barcelona top salary rankings in Europe | OneFootball

While Real Madrid and Barcelona have cut back spending significantly since the pandemic, that has been seen mostly in their transfer fees. A top player would do well to end up at one of La Liga’s behemoths if they want to be earn the top dollar.

Even if the Premier League continues to generate more revenue, and dwarf other leagues across Europe in the transfer market, a spot at El Clasico is the most lucrative in the game for star players.

Real Madrid and Barcelona top salary rankings

In a recent report released by L’Equipe (as carried by Radio Catalunya), Real Madrid are the highest spenders on salaries in European football on average. Taken on a per player per year basis, Los Blancos are currently paying an average wage of €11.2m per annum. Barcelona are the next highest-paying club, with their players earning on average €7.91m per annum, but even that is a significant 29.4% less than their counterparts in the Spanish capital.

Barcelona’s average spend is still high, but more in line with other gianrts. Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal are all within a €1m in terms of their own average spend. London clubs Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur round out the top 10, with spends of €4.5m as an average salary.

Atletico Madrid do not make top 10 in Europe

It is perhaps significant that while Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone often harbours criticism for not getting closer to Barcelona Real Madrid, his side offer wages of closer to half what Barcelona are averaging, and nearer to a third of what players are earning at the Bernabeu.

Although L’Equipe do not provide a figure for Los Rojiblancos, clearly their average is below the €4.5m for Chelsea and Spurs. Atletico have been the biggest spenders in La Liga in terms of transfer fees over the last two years, clearing €364m, what they are paying in wages is much lower. It should also be noted that their net spend in that period €150m.