French football has produced some of the most elegant superstars in the history of the game and a new generation of French stars is not only dazzling fans all over the globe, but also commanding staggering salaries while at it.
Players like Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Lucas Hernandez headline this elite club, with jaw-dropping wages that underscore their value. In this article, Soccernet.football unveils the top 10 highest-paid French players lighting up Europe’s football stage.
10. Aurelian Tchouameni (€240,385-per-week)
The Real Madrid midfield maestro has established himself as a key player at the Spanish capital. Tchouameni’s ability to dictate play and his defensive solidity make him one of the finest young midfielders in the game. Los Blancos rewarded the Frenchman’s talents with a lucrative contract befitting his immense potential.
9. Eduardo Camavinga (€240,385-per-week)
Another young French talent on the books at Real Madrid, Camavinga has enjoyed a meteoric rise since joining Los Blancos. Whether deployed in midfield or as an auxiliary left-back, the 22-year-old has proven indispensable. His versatility and composure make him worth every penny of his hefty paycheck.
8. Antoine Griezmann (€240,385-per-week)
The former France international remains a central figure for Atlético Madrid thanks to his creativity and lethal finishing. Griezmann has been a talismanic presence in Diego Simeone’s side, with his experience and ability to deliver in clutch moments keeping him among Europe’s top earners.
7. Randal Kolo Muani (€244,808-per-week)
Paris Saint-Germain broke the bank to secure Frenchman’s services from Eintracht Frankfurt in the summer of 2023, and his salary reflects how highly regarded he is by the Ligue 1 giants. Kolo Muani’s electric pace and clinical finishing, is seen as a key asset in PSG’s quest to maintain domestic dominance and attain European glory.
6. Michael Olise (€259,615-per-week)
Olise’s recent move from Premier League strugglers Crystal Palace to Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich came with a bumper pay rise. The exciting winger is known for his creativity and flair which has seen him become a household name in Europe. His technical brilliance ensures Bayern’s frontline remains one of the most dangerous in the world.
5. Joules Kounde (€266,577-per-week)
Barcelona’s defensive linchpin Kounde, has been pivotal in stabilizing the Blaugrana’s backline this season. The Frenchman’s ability to play as a center-back or right-back provides Hansi Flick’s squad with a much needed versality in defense. Kounde has been one of Barca’s best players in recent years and his consistent performances are well-compensated with a top-tier salary.
4. Kingsley Coman (€326,923-per-week)
A serial winner with Bayern Munich, Coman’s importance to the German giants is undeniable. His knack for scoring crucial goals, like the winner in the 2020 UEFA Champions League final, cements his reputation as one of the most reliable wingers in Europe. No doubt, the 28-year-old winger is worth his huge wage package.
3. Lucas Hernandez (€365,385-per-week)
Hernandez’s move from Bayern to PSG in 2023 came with significant financial rewards for the Frenchman. The versatile defender offers experience and grit to the Ligue 1 champions. While he was a key part of Les Parisiens’ setup last season, a cruciate ligament injury has kept him out of action this term, with his expected return set for May 2025.
2. Ousmane Dembele (€384,615-per-week)
Dembele’s switch from Barcelona to PSG made the headlines, and his pay packet at the capital city reflects his star status at the club. PSG’s highest earner is also one of their top performers so far this season as the defending champions look to mount yet another successful defense of their crown.
1. Kylian Mbappe (€600,962-per-week)
Formerly the undisputed king of French football, Mbappe currently finds himself struggling to settle into an already fully stacked Real Madrid side in Spain. His status as the highest-paid French player in Europe perhaps comes as no surprise given his exploits and accomplishments in the game despite his young age.