Serie A has long been home to footballing legends—and oversized paychecks. But who exactly sits atop the list of highest paid players in Serie A history? In this article, IndiGoal will take you on a journey through the biggest contracts, salary records, and the evolving financial landscape of Italian football.
The meaning of “highest paid” in Serie A
When we talk about highest paid players in Serie A history, it isn’t always straightforward. Are we measuring by:
- Gross annual wages (before tax, bonuses included)?
- Net salary (after tax and deductions)?
- Weekly wage rates (converted or localized)?
- Historical contracts?
Most modern lists adopt gross annual wages or weekly salaries for the current era. But to truly understand the history, we’ll glance backward to see how Serie A’s top earners evolved.
The current apex: Vlahović’s record contract
In the 2025–26 season, the top of the wage pyramid in Italian football is occupied by Dušan Vlahović. His Juventus deal reportedly pays him €22.22 million gross per year, which equals around €427,308 per week in base salary. This figure places him at the absolute summit of Serie A remuneration.
Trailing behind him is Lautaro Martínez at Inter, whose salary hovers around €16.6 million–€16.8 million mark.
These new records not only reflect individual star power, but also the escalatory trend in Serie A wages—as clubs strive to attract and retain elite talent.
All-time comparisons: big earners of the past
To appreciate how extraordinary today’s numbers are, we must look back:
- In 2011–12, Daniele De Rossi became the highest-paid Italian in Serie A, earning around €10 million gross under his Roma contract.
- Before him, in the earlier 2000s, Zlatan Ibrahimović’s contracts at Juventus and Inter reportedly made him one of the world’s highest-paid footballers at the time.
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- Gabriel Batistuta, the marker of Fiorentina and later Roma glory, earned ≈ 14.8 billion Italian lire per year (before tax) at Roma in 2000 — a huge sum at that time.
Clearly, the scale has shifted dramatically. What was once considered a mega salary now seems moderate in today’s top-tier contracts.
Top earners in the modern era (top 10)
Here’s a snapshot of the highest-paid players in Serie A in recent seasons (2024–25 / 2025–26):
|
Rank |
Player |
Club |
Estimated gross annual salary |
|
1 |
Dušan Vlahović |
Juventus |
~ €22.22 million |
|
2 |
Lautaro Martínez |
Inter |
~ €16.6–16.8 million |
|
3 |
Paulo Dybala |
AS Roma |
~ €12–14 million range |
|
4 |
Nicolò Barella |
Inter |
~ €12.12 million otyStats]) |
|
5 |
Hakan Çalhanoğlu |
Inter |
~ €11.16 million |
|
6 |
Alessandro Bastoni |
Inter |
~ €10.2 million |
|
7 |
Alvaro Morata |
AC Milan |
~ €10.18 million |
|
8 |
Gleison Bremer |
Juventus |
~ €9.24 million |
|
9 |
Rafael Leão |
AC Milan |
~ €8.97 million |
|
10 |
Douglas Luiz |
Juventus |
~ €8.28 million |
These figures are based on public reporting and estimates—some contracts include bonus clauses, image rights, and other incentives that may push the real values higher.
Why Serie A salaries have grown so steep
Several factors have fueled the explosion in top-tier salaries in Italy:
- TV rights and media revenue: Serie A’s broadcasting deals have grown, allowing clubs to invest more in player wages.
- Competition from abroad: Italian clubs must compete with Premier League, La Liga, and Ligue 1 in luring elite talent. Higher wages are a tool to remain competitive.
- Inflation and economic scaling: Over two decades, revenue growth, sponsorship deals, and inflation naturally push salaries upward.
- Star-driven demands: Big names now negotiate contracts akin to global superstars, leveraging marketability, social media, and personal branding.
- Financial risk management: Clubs are increasingly cautious (especially post-pandemic), so they prefer fewer but higher-value contracts rather than excessive wage spreads.
Historic comparison: Then vs Now
|
Era |
Top salary benchmark |
Context |
|
Early 2000s |
Ibrahimović & Batistuta’s deals |
High for their time, but modest compared to today |
|
2010s |
Top Italians earning ~€10M |
Contracts growing but still manageable |
|
2020s |
Vlahović’s €22M+ |
Explosive leap in scale and financial ambition |
The gulf between eras underscores the transformation of Serie A—from a relatively modest league in financial terms to one with world-class wages at the top.
Risks and criticisms of mega contracts
Big pay often draws scrutiny. Some of the risks and concerns include:
- Wage-to-revenue imbalance: Clubs risk crippling finances if ticket sales, sponsorship, or broadcast income fall short.
- Squad inequality: High earners can create locker-room tension if other players feel underpaid.
- Short-termism: Clubs might overcommit to star contracts at the cost of youth development or long-term stability.
- Tax and regulatory scrutiny: Italy’s tax regime and league financial rules (e.g. UEFA FFP) add pressure.
Yet for clubs chasing titles or European success, luxury contracts are often justified as necessary gambles.
The future of top wages in Serie A
Looking ahead, will someone surpass Vlahović’s pay? Quite possibly. With clubs increasingly targeting global icons, wage records may be shattered again soon.
That said, sustainability and regulation might slow the pace. Clubs may lean more on performance-based incentives or bonus-heavy deals rather than pure base salary escalation.
IndiGoal sees trends such as:
- Backloaded contracts (rising wages over time)
- Buyout or release clauses tied to performance
- Profit-sharing or equity-like incentives
- Capped wage ratios (limiting how many players can cross a threshold)
Conclusion
Highest paid players in Serie A history is no longer just a curiosity—it’s a window into how Italian football has evolved economically, culturally, and competitively. Today, Dušan Vlahović stands as the all-time peak in Serie A wages with a stunning €22.22 million gross contract, overshadowing legends like Ibrahimović and Batistuta in modern comparisons.
If you’re fascinated by transfers, wage battles, or who’s next to break the pay ceiling, stay tuned to IndiGoal. Don’t forget to explore our player profiles, club wage breakdowns, and transfer rumors—you’ll always be a click ahead in the world of football finance.