Ligue 1 salaries 2026: crisis bites, but PSG still set the pace | OneFootball

According to L'Équipe, the slump in TV rights is hurting many Ligue 1 clubs, though some are shielded by owners or Champions League money.

At PSG, head coach Luis Enrique is set to become the league's top earner with a new deal worth around €20m a year, above Ousmane Dembélé's €18m before bonuses. In January, president Nasser al-Khelaïfi said the club operate a salary cap and that the team and the club come first.

Otherwise, PSG have curbed extravagance at their scale. The top 10 now includes Joao Neves, Willian Pacho and Fabian Ruiz after improved extensions reflecting their status under the Asturian. PSG still dominate with 16 of the 20 highest earners and average pay more than double Marseille's, who have eight in the top 30.

Beyond them, a few big earners endure, notably Corentin Tolisso at Lyon and Sofiane Diop at Nice from a more ambitious era. Monaco feature too, helped by a tax edge for foreign players and by recruiting free or low-fee signings while selling for more than €100m. That approach looks harder under UEFA's 70% cost cap and with TV money set to fall again next season.

Elsewhere, most are cutting back, apart from new money at Strasbourg and perhaps Paris FC. Lens pay their starting XI well then trim the bench, a model that relies on avoiding injuries.

Average pay underlines a two-speed league, with 10th budget Lens on €80,000 gross and 11th budget Nantes and Brest on €50,000.

Source: L'Équipe