4 Spurs star among The 20 highest paid players in 2024/25 Europa League
The phrase “money makes the world go round” is particularly applicable in the world of football, where financial power dictates much of the action.
From lucrative sponsorship deals to sky-high television rights, clubs playing at the highest level enjoy significant financial rewards.
While many believe the Champions League is the primary platform for generating such wealth, the Europa League also hosts some of the highest earners in football.
The 2024/25 Europa League season features a number of top players who are walking away with hefty weekly wages, as compiled by experts at FBref.
Below is a table of the 20 Highest-Paid Players in the Europa League 2024/25:
| Rank | Player | Club | Salary p/w (£) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Casemiro | Manchester United | 350,000 |
| 2 | Bruno Fernandes | Manchester United | 300,000 |
| 3 | Marcus Rashford | Manchester United | 300,000 |
| 4 | Mason Mount | Manchester United | 250,000 |
| 5 | Antony | Manchester United | 200,000 |
| 6 | Matthijs de Ligt | Manchester United | 195,000 |
| 7 | Harry Maguire | Manchester United | 190,000 |
| 8 | Son Heung-min | Tottenham Hotspur | 190,000 |
| 9 | Inaki Williams | Athletic Bilbao | 183,155 |
| 10 | James Maddison | Tottenham Hotspur | 170,000 |
| 11 | Nico Williams | Athletic Bilbao | 167,410 |
| 12 | Cristian Romero | Tottenham Hotspur | 165,000 |
| 13 | Timo Werner | Tottenham Hotspur | 165,000 |
| 14 | Christian Eriksen | Manchester United | 150,000 |
| 15 | Luke Shaw | Manchester United | 150,000 |
| 16 | Noussair Mazraoui | Manchester United | 135,000 |
| 17 | Andre Onana | Manchester United | 120,000 |
| 18 | Lisandro Martinez | Manchester United | 120,000 |
| 19 | Manuel Ugarte | Manchester United | 120,000 |
| 20 | Victor Lindelof | Manchester United | 120,000 |
Among these players, Tottenham Hotspur’s James Maddison stands out as one of the most creative English talents.
Despite his prolific playmaking abilities, Maddison has never featured in a Champions League game. However, he is familiar with the Europa League, with the 2024/25 season marking his third appearance in the competition.
Earning £170,000 per week, Maddison narrowly makes it into the top ten highest-paid players, ahead of Athletic Bilbao’s young star, Nico Williams.
Interestingly, Inaki Williams, Nico’s older brother, is the only player from outside the Premier League to feature in the top ten.
Earning £183,155 per week, Inaki has been a key player for Athletic Bilbao throughout his career. Given the club’s policy of only signing players from the Basque region, retaining talents like Williams is crucial for their success.
His salary reflects his value to the team, with the explosive winger remaining a central figure in Bilbao’s squad.
Tottenham’s captain, Son Heung-min, also ranks high on the list. Earning £190,000 per week, Son is not only one of the greatest Asian players to have ever graced English football but is also considered one of Tottenham’s best value-for-money signings.
Though trophies have eluded him, Son remains a key player for Spurs, and the Europa League offers him another opportunity to lift his first major title with the club.
Manchester United dominates the list, with seven players in the top ten. Among them is Harry Maguire, who despite his ups and downs at Old Trafford, continues to earn £190,000 per week.
While his future at the club remains uncertain, Maguire’s wage reflects his standing as a former club captain.
However, he might need to leave United to secure a regular spot in the lineup and stay in contention for international tournaments like the 2026 World Cup.
One of the players who has overtaken Maguire in the pecking order at United is Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt.
Earning £195,000 per week, De Ligt has settled into English football after a challenging start and is a regular figure alongside Lisandro Martinez.
Interestingly, De Ligt once played in a Europa League final against his current team in 2017, and he will be hoping for a more positive outcome this season.
Casemiro tops the list as the highest-paid player in the Europa League, earning £350,000 per week. Despite a stellar first season with Manchester United, the Brazilian midfielder has struggled to maintain his form recently.
While he remains United’s top earner, his future at the club appears uncertain, and he may no longer be guaranteed a starting spot under Erik ten Hag.
In conclusion, while the Champions League might be seen as the pinnacle of European football, the Europa League still boasts a number of high-profile, highly paid players.
From Tottenham’s creative force Maddison to Manchester United’s veteran midfielder Casemiro, these players continue to command significant wages and influence on the pitch.
The Europa League provides them with another opportunity to showcase their talents on a European stage, with each hoping to add to their already impressive legacies.