For all the goal-scoring proficiency of Erling Haaland at Manchester City, it was always assumed that every goal he scored would bolster his chance of a mega contract with Real Madrid in the future. This script has played out numerous times. A player grows big at any place only to get snapped by Real Madrid. Manchester City, however, buried these concerns by handing Haaland the longest contract ever signed in the history of the Premier League. The 10-year contract, ending in 2034, will fetch the Norwegian a weekly wage of $650,000, translating into more than $33.5 million annually. In all, the total value of the contract will exceed $337 million, the most expensive in the Premier League,. However, across sports, bigger contracts have been signed.  Here are seven of the biggest sporting contracts in the world. 

Player: Juan Soto  

Club: New York Mets  

Price: $765 million  

Juan Soto, 26, a highly acclaimed baseball player with two All-Star appearances and a World Series championship under his belt, made headlines in December 2024 by signing a historic 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets. Soto, recognized for his impressive hitting skills, discipline at the plate, and ability to perform under pressure, is widely regarded as one of the top rising stars in the sport. The deal includes a full no-trade clause, a $75 million signing bonus, and an opt-out option after five years. Mets owner Steve Cohen, known for his willingness to invest in top talent, has continued to demonstrate his commitment to building a competitive roster, having led Major League Baseball with a $341.8 million expenditure on his team's 40-man roster in the 2024 season. 

Player: Shohei Ohtani 

Club: Los Angeles Dodgers  

Price: $700 million 

Shohei Ohtani, 30, the two-way baseball superstar, signed a historic 10-year contract worth $700 million with the Los Angeles Dodgers in December 2024, making him the second highest-paid player in sports history. This unprecedented deal features a unique structure with $680 million of his salary deferred for a decade. Ohtani will receive only $2 million per year during his playing tenure, with the remaining $680 million paid out in $68 million instalments annually from 2034 to 2043. 

Player: Lionel Messi 

Club: Barcelona 

Price: $673 million 

In 2017, Lionel Messi signed a four-year deal with FC Barcelona for undisclosed fees. In January 2021, the Spanish media outlet El Mundo got access to the leaked document as per which Messi's contract was worth $673 million, making him the highest-paid footballer in the world. Since Apple had the television rights for the Major League Soccer (MLS), and Adidas is associated with Messi for long time, these brands too contributed a significant sum to bring the Argentine player to the club. 

Player: Cristiano Ronaldo 

Club: Al Nassr 

Price: $500 million 

After falling out with the manager of his boyhood club Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo bid adieu to European football. He settled in Saudi Arabia, calling Al Nassr his new home, where he would earn $500 million for a two-year deal. As his contract comes to an end, Ronaldo is seeking an extension, and as per the new offer, he will also get five per cent of the ownership of the club, valued at $170 million, in his new contract. 

Player: Patrick Mahomes 

Club: Kansas City Chiefs 

Price: $450 million 

When Patrick Mahomes signed a 10-year contract extension worth $450 million with the Kansas City Chiefs in July 2020, he became the highest-paid player in NFL history, a record he still holds. Mahomes has quickly become one of the most exciting and dominant quarterbacks in NFL history. He led the Chiefs to victory in Super Bowl LIV and has consistently been a contender for the NFL MVP award. 

Player: Karim Benzema 

Club: Al-Ittihad 

Price: $447 million 

Soon after winning the Ballon d'Or in 2022, Karim Benzema signed a lucrative contract with Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad in June 2023. The deal is believed to be a three-year contract, keeping Benzema at Al-Ittihad until 2026. 

Player: Mike Trout  

Club: Los Angeles Angels 

Price: $426 Million 

Mike Trout signed a 12-year, $426.5 million contract extension with the Los Angeles Angels in 2019. This record-breaking deal at the time made him the highest-paid player in Major League Baseball history, though now his record is eclipsed by other players.