The latest financial revelations from Calcio e Finanza, widely cited via Sport Mediaset, paint a vivid picture of who`s earning what, and more importantly, what these figures tell us about the ambition and fiscal prudence (or lack thereof) across the league. From established superstars commanding astronomical figures to recent summer signings immediately reshaping the financial hierarchy, the Serie A payrolls are a captivating study in football economics.
- Juventus: The Apex of Expenditure, A New Guard Emerges
- Juventus Top 10 Earners (2025/26):
- Inter Milan: The Established Core and Strategic Reinforcements
- Inter`s Top 10 Earners (2025/26):
- AC Milan: High Ambitions, Peculiar Payouts
- Milan`s Top 10 Earners (2025/26):
- Napoli: Balancing Prudence with Star Power
- Napoli`s Top 10 Earners (2025/26):
- Beyond the Paycheck: Implications for Serie A
Juventus: The Apex of Expenditure, A New Guard Emerges
Leading the pack, as has become somewhat customary, is Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus. His colossal €12 million per year contract isn`t merely a testament to his prolificacy on the pitch; it`s a statement of intent from the Old Lady, positioning him as the league`s undeniable financial cornerstone. The gap between Vlahovic and the next highest earner is a significant €3 million, underscoring his unique status.
However, Juventus`s wage structure for 2025/26 also reflects a significant injection of new talent. Fresh faces like Jonathan David, commanding €6 million annually, slot straight into the second-highest earner position at the club, tying him for 5th overall in the league. Fellow new arrivals, Lois Openda (€4 million) and Edon Zhegrova (€2.5 million), also find themselves comfortably placed within the top ten, indicating a clear strategy to invest heavily in a rejuvenated squad.
Juventus Top 10 Earners (2025/26):
- Dusan Vlahovic: €12 million
- Jonathan David: €6 million
- Bremer: €5 million
- Koopmeiners: €4.5 million
- Openda: €4 million
- Conceiçao: €3.8 million
- Gatti: €3.1 million
- Locatelli: €3 million
- McKennie: €2.5 million
- Kostic and Zhegrova: €2.5 million
Inter Milan: The Established Core and Strategic Reinforcements
At Inter, the reigning champions, stability and strategic reinforcement define their wage policy. Lautaro Martinez stands as their highest-earning player with a substantial €9 million per year, solidifying his role as the team`s talisman and captain. He’s followed by key midfield engines Nicolo Barella and Hakan Calhanoglu, both on €6.5 million, highlighting the club’s commitment to retaining and rewarding its core.
The arrival of Manuel Akanji, securing €5 million, immediately places him as Inter’s fifth-highest paid player, a clear indicator of the value placed on defensive prowess and experience. This measured approach contrasts with Juventus`s more aggressive top-tier spending, yet maintains a competitive and well-compensated squad.
Inter`s Top 10 Earners (2025/26):
- Lautaro Martinez: €9 million
- Barella: €6.5 million
- Calhanoglu: €6.5 million
- Thuram: €6 million
- Akanji: €5 million
- Bastoni: €5.5 million
- Zielinski: €4.5 million
- Dumfries: €4 million
- Dimarco: €4 million
- Mkhitaryan and de Vrij: €3.8 million
AC Milan: High Ambitions, Peculiar Payouts
AC Milan`s wage structure for the 2025/26 season presents a fascinating, almost ironic, case study. New marquee signings Adrien Rabiot and Christopher Nkunku immediately join talisman Rafael Leao at the top of Milan`s payroll, each earning a robust €5 million annually. This trio represents the Rossoneri`s clear intent to push for domestic and European glory.
However, the most eyebrow-raising figure comes in the form of Divock Origi. Despite reportedly not having featured for the club since the 2022-23 season, Origi still collects a hefty €4 million per year. This places him as the club`s joint-fourth highest earner, alongside crucial players like Bennacer, Loftus-Cheek, and Pulisic. One might wonder about the efficiency of such an allocation; a peculiar legacy of past transfer decisions, perhaps, or a testament to the complexities of player contracts.
Milan`s Top 10 Earners (2025/26):
- Rabiot: €5 million
- Leao: €5 million
- Nkunku: €5 million
- Bennacer: €4 million
- Loftus-Cheek: €4 million
- Origi: €4 million
- Pulisic: €4 million
- Modric: €3.5 million
- Tomori: €3.5 million
- Fofana: €3 million
Napoli: Balancing Prudence with Star Power
Napoli, traditionally known for its more conservative wage approach, shows signs of a strategic shift for the 2025/26 season. While they continue to maintain a relatively lower overall wage bill compared to their northern counterparts, the pursuit of top-tier talent has necessitated significant financial outlay for certain key acquisitions. Romelu Lukaku leads their earners at €6 million, a clear investment in a proven goal scorer.
The arrivals of global superstar Kevin De Bruyne (€5.5 million) and promising striker Rasmus Hojlund (€5 million) instantly catapult them into Napoli`s second and third highest-earning positions respectively. This marks a notable evolution for a club that previously relied on collective strength rather than individual, high-cost stars.
Adding another layer of intrigue is the case of Scott McTominay. Despite being lauded as last season’s Serie A MVP, his salary stands at a modest €3 million per season. This highlights a fascinating disparity: a testament to Napoli`s ability to extract immense value from their signings, or perhaps a lingering echo of a prior, more frugal era now slowly being challenged by the allure of marquee players.
Napoli`s Top 10 Earners (2025/26):
- Lukaku: €6 million
- De Bruyne: €5.5 million
- Hojlund: €5 million
- Lobotka: €3.5 million
- Politano: €3.2 million
- McTominay: €3 million
- Neres: €3 million
- Elmas: €3 million
- Di Lorenzo: €3 million
- Lang: €2.8 million
Beyond the Paycheck: Implications for Serie A
The 2025/26 Serie A salary landscape is more than just a list of figures; it`s a reflection of ambition, market realities, and the ever-evolving financial strategies of Italy`s footballing elite. Juventus continues to lead with top-tier individual spending, while Inter maintains a strong, well-compensated core. Milan juggles new star power with historical, less-than-optimal contracts, and Napoli navigates a path between its traditional prudence and the necessary investment in modern superstars.
These figures will undoubtedly fuel debates among fans and pundits alike, raising questions about squad harmony, return on investment, and the sustainability of certain financial models. As the season progresses, the true value of these colossal investments will be judged not just in Euros, but in points, performances, and, ultimately, the elusive glory of silverware.
