Goalkeepers often work quietly behind the scenes, but some of the biggest clubs in world football are paying enormous sums to have the best possible player between the posts.
From Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid to Manchester City, Liverpool and the growing Saudi Pro League, several elite goalkeepers are taking home salaries that would rival those of some of the biggest attacking stars.
The latest reported figures for 2026 show that Jan Oblak currently leads the way, with the Atletico Madrid goalkeeper earning more than £340,000 every week. The figures, compiled using reported salary data, offer an interesting look at just how highly top goalkeepers are valued in modern football.
Here are the 10 highest-paid goalkeepers in world football in 2026.
Jan Oblak – Atletico Madrid – £342,127 per week
At the top of the list is Atletico Madrid’s long-serving goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
The Slovenia international is reportedly earning £342,127 every week, making him the highest-paid goalkeeper in the world.
Oblak has been Atletico’s first-choice goalkeeper for more than a decade and has consistently been regarded as one of the best shot-stoppers in Europe. At 33, he remains an important part of the Spanish club’s plans.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen – Barcelona/Ajax – £271,665 per week
Marc-Andre ter Stegen takes second place with reported weekly earnings of £271,665.
The German goalkeeper remains contracted to Barcelona but is currently playing for Ajax on loan. Barcelona are reportedly still responsible for the vast majority of his wages.
Despite recent changes to his position within the Barcelona squad, ter Stegen remains one of the most experienced goalkeepers in European football.
Gianluigi Donnarumma – Manchester City – £265,000 per week
Manchester City’s Gianluigi Donnarumma is third on the list.
The Italy international is reportedly earning £265,000 per week after making the move to the Premier League champions from Paris Saint-Germain.
Donnarumma has already built a remarkable career despite being only 27, including winning the European Championship with Italy and establishing himself as one of the most recognised goalkeepers in world football.
Manuel Neuer – Bayern Munich – £247,849 per week
Few goalkeepers have had the influence Manuel Neuer has had on modern football.
The Bayern Munich veteran is reportedly earning £247,849 per week. Even at 40, the German remains a respected figure at one of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Neuer helped redefine the role of the goalkeeper with his aggressive positioning and ability to play with his feet, becoming a model for the modern sweeper-keeper.
Thibaut Courtois – Real Madrid – £246,371 per week
Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois is fifth, with reported weekly earnings of £246,371.
The Belgian goalkeeper has been one of Real Madrid’s most important players since arriving from Chelsea. His performances in major Champions League matches have repeatedly demonstrated why the Spanish giants invested heavily in him.
Courtois remains one of the most difficult goalkeepers to beat when fully fit.
Edouard Mendy – Al-Ahli – £197,097 per week
Former Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy is the highest-paid African goalkeeper on the list.
The Senegal international earns a reported £197,097 per week at Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli.
Mendy joined the club in 2023 after a successful spell at Chelsea, where he won the Champions League. His contract with Al-Ahli reportedly runs until 2028.
Emiliano Martinez – Chelsea – £175,000 per week
Argentina’s World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez occupies seventh place.
Martinez is reportedly earning £175,000 per week at Chelsea after leaving Aston Villa.
His reputation has grown significantly since helping Argentina win the 2022 FIFA World Cup. His performances in penalty shootouts, in particular, have made him one of the most recognisable goalkeepers in international football.
His move to Chelsea has now placed him among the Premier League’s highest-paid goalkeepers.
Yassine Bounou – Al-Hilal – £167,532 per week
Morocco international Yassine Bounou, popularly known as Bono, is eighth with reported earnings of £167,532 per week.
Bounou made his name in European football during his time at Sevilla before moving to Saudi Arabia in 2023.
He has also played a major role in Morocco’s rise on the international stage and remains one of the most respected African goalkeepers of his generation.
Jordan Pickford – Everton – £150,000 per week
England number one Jordan Pickford is next on the list.
The Everton goalkeeper reportedly earns £150,000 per week and has been a key figure for both club and country for several years.
Pickford has remained Everton’s first-choice goalkeeper through different managerial eras and has also established himself as England’s undisputed number one.
Alisson Becker – Liverpool – £150,000 per week
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker completes the top 10.
The Brazilian is reportedly earning £150,000 per week and has been one of the Premier League’s outstanding goalkeepers since joining Liverpool.
Alisson played a major role in Liverpool’s success in both England and Europe and is widely regarded as one of the most complete goalkeepers of his generation.
The ranking highlights how much modern clubs are willing to invest in reliable goalkeeping. A goalkeeper can make the difference between winning and losing a major trophy, and clubs increasingly recognise the value of having an elite player behind the defence.
It is also striking that the list features some of the biggest names in international football. Donnarumma, Neuer, Courtois, Martinez, Pickford and Alisson have all represented their countries at the highest level, while Oblak and Bounou have also become key figures for Slovenia and Morocco respectively.
The presence of Saudi Pro League stars such as Mendy and Bounou also shows how the financial landscape of football continues to change.
For now, however, the biggest reported goalkeeper salary belongs to Oblak. With a weekly wage of more than £340,000, the Atletico Madrid star sits comfortably at the top of a list that demonstrates just how valuable world-class goalkeeping has become.
