Real Madrid boasts good economic management, controlled financial fair play, and not paying out-of-market figures.
From Bernabéu's offices, it has been emphasized that the club is far from the madness of petrodollars. However, the data speaks for itself.
The latest leaked list of the white squad's salaries, published by Transfermarkt, has reignited the debate. Because it's not just a couple of exceptions, but a sustained policy.
There are salaries among the highest in European soccer. Moreover, some of these players aren't even undisputed starters.
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Mbappé, as was desired, leads the ranking
With €26 million ($26 million) net per season, Kylian Mbappé tops the list by a huge margin over the rest. The Frenchman signed as a free agent, but made up for it with a top-tier contract. Still, in public, no one at the club admits it.
Behind him, Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Jr. are tied for second place. Both earn more than €12 million ($12 million) net.
In the Englishman's case, there are variable bonuses that can push his salary even higher if certain objectives are met.
Surprise: Trent Alexander-Arnold breaks into the top 5
Recently arrived from Liverpool, the English full-back has made a strong impact not only on the field, but also in the salary scale. With €11 million ($11 million) net per year, he's already among the five highest-paid in the locker room, above veterans like Rüdiger or Tchouaméni.
It's striking that, without having played a single official match yet, his contract is on par with the project's main references. This is a clear bet by Florentino Pérez that once again sets off alarms in the wage structure.
This is the advantage of arriving as a free agent, like David Alaba. The club distributes the signing bonus across the salaries of the signed years.
Contract renewals, key to inflating figures
Another key lies in recent contract renewals. Lunin, for example, went from earning less than €2 million ($2 million) to around €5 million ($5 million). That's without having a guaranteed starting spot.
Something similar happens with Camavinga, Valverde, or Rodrygo, whose contracts have been adjusted upward.
Among the academy graduates, the cases of Fran García and Brahim also stand out. Both earn more than €3 million ($3 million) net. At Barça, except for a few rare cases, a player with that role would hardly reach those figures.
Although publicly there is talk of restraint and sustainability, the first team's wage bill is already around €330 million ($330 million) gross per year. This figure places Real Madrid in the European elite in this area as well. It's not Arabia, but it's not an NGO either.