Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has been named the highest-taxed footballer in the United Kingdom for the past year, according to the latest edition of the Sunday Times Tax List. Haaland, who plays in the Premier League, paid nearly £17 million in taxes during the previous financial year, highlighting the significant contributions made by high-profile footballers to the British tax system.
The list, which ranks individuals based on the amount of tax they pay, also included Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah among its top contributors from the footballing world. The inclusion of Haaland and Salah illustrates the financial impact elite athletes have beyond the pitch, particularly in terms of their fiscal responsibilities in the UK.
Erling Haaland, who has quickly established himself as one of the Premier League’s most prolific scorers since joining Manchester City, has a contract that includes significant wages and endorsement deals. These factors contribute to his high tax bill, placing him prominently on the list alongside other top earners in various industries.
Mohamed Salah, a key figure at Liverpool since his arrival in 2017, has also benefited from an extended contract and various commercial partnerships. His presence on the tax list underscores the earning potential of top-level football players and their role in supporting public finances through taxation.
The Sunday Times Tax List sheds light on a lesser-known aspect of professional sports — the financial obligations that come with high earnings. Footballers like Haaland and Salah are among a select group of athletes whose earnings reach levels that place them among the country’s highest taxpayers.
While the list typically features business leaders and entrepreneurs, the inclusion of prominent footballers reflects the growing economic significance of international sports figures based in the UK. Their contributions to the Treasury span beyond ticket sales and television rights, extending into substantial income and endorsement revenues that are subject to UK taxation.
This development comes amid ongoing discussions about the role of high earners in the UK economy and the public value of their tax contributions. The presence of sports professionals in such rankings also highlights the financial scale of modern football, where top-tier talent commands significant compensation both from clubs and corporate endorsements.
