AC Milan’s 2025-26 wage bill totals €104.6 million, making them mid-table spenders in Serie A. The Rossoneri employ three players earning €9.3 million gross annually: Rafael Leão, Adrien Rabiot, and Christopher Nkunku.
Italy’s Growth Decree tax advantages allow Milan to offer competitive net salaries while managing gross wage costs effectively. This tax structure reduces the club’s actual expenditure compared to equivalent contracts elsewhere in Europe.
Learn more about AC Milan players’ careers by exploring their individual biography and net worth profiles.
| Player Name | Position | Nationality |
| Mike Maignan | Goalkeeper | France |
| Noah Raveyre | Goalkeeper | France |
| Marco Sportiello | Goalkeeper | Italy |
| Lapo Nava | Goalkeeper | Italy |
| Lorenzo Torriani | Goalkeeper | Italy |
| Theo Hernández | Left Back | France |
| Álex Jiménez | Left Back | Spain |
| Emerson Royal | Right Back | Brazil |
| Fikayo Tomori | Center Back | England |
| Alessandro Florenzi | Right Back | Italy |
| Malick Thiaw | Center Back | Germany |
| Strahinja Pavlović | Center Back | Serbia |
| Kyle Walker | Right Back | England |
| Davide Bartesaghi | Left Back | Italy |
| Matteo Gabbia | Center Back | Italy |
| Ruben Loftus-Cheek | Midfielder | England |
| Christian Pulisic | Midfielder | USA |
| Tijjani Reijnders | Midfielder | Netherlands |
| Youssouf Fofana | Midfielder | France |
| Warren Bondo | Midfielder | France |
| Filippo Terracciano | Midfielder | Italy |
| Silvano Vos | Midfielder | Netherlands |
| Yunus Musah | Midfielder | USA |
| Santiago Giménez | Forward | Mexico |
| Luka Jović | Forward | Serbia |
| Rafael Leão | Forward | Portugal |
| Samuel Chukwueze | Forward | Nigeria |
| Mattia Liberali | Forward | Italy |
| Chaka Traorè | Forward | Ivory Coast |
| Francesco Camarda | Forward | Italy |
| Bob Omoregbe | Forward | Italy |
| João Félix | Forward | Portugal |
| Tammy Abraham | Forward | England |
| Riccardo Sottil | Forward | Italy |
Top 10 Highest-Paid AC Milan Players
Milan’s salary structure rewards attacking talent and experienced midfielders. Leão’s €5 million net salary benefits from Growth Decree advantages, making his €9.3 million gross cost manageable for the club.
| Player | Position | Weekly Salary | Annual Salary (Gross) | Contract Until |
| Adrien Rabiot | Midfielder | €178,000 | €9.3 million | 2028 |
| Rafael Leão | Forward | €178,000 | €9.3 million | 2028 |
| Christopher Nkunku | Forward | €178,000 | €9.3 million | 2030 |
| Divock Origi | Forward | €142,300 | €7.4 million | 2026 |
| Luka Modric | Midfielder | €125,000 | €6.5 million | 2026 |
| Youssouf Fofana | Midfielder | €105,000 | €5.5 million | 2028 |
| Christian Pulisic | Forward | €100,000 | €5.2 million | 2027 |
| Ruben Loftus-Cheek | Midfielder | €98,000 | €5.1 million | 2027 |
| Santiago Giménez | Forward | €90,000 | €4.6 million | 2029 |
| Fikayo Tomori | Defender | €88,000 | €4.6 million | 2028 |
The average AC Milan squad salary reaches €4.4 million annually. This represents solid mid-tier Serie A spending while maintaining financial sustainability under UEFA regulations.
AC Milan’s Total Wage Structure
Milan’s €104.6 million wage bill positions them behind Inter Milan (€140M+) but ahead of several Serie A competitors. The club balances experienced international stars with emerging talents on lower wages.
The Rossoneri’s salary cap strategy emphasizes tactical flexibility. No player earns more than €9.3 million gross, preventing the wage structure inflation that plagued Milan’s finances in the 2010s.
Growth Decree benefits reduce Milan’s tax burden significantly. Leão’s €5 million net costs just €6.55 million gross with tax relief, versus €9.25 million without the decree.
Salary Distribution by Position
Milan invests heavily in attacking players, with five forwards among the top seven earners. Midfielders receive competitive wages while defenders earn modest salaries relative to their on-field importance.
Forward Salaries: €28.1 million combined (Leão, Nkunku, Origi, Pulisic, Giménez lead)
Midfielder Salaries: €28.2 million total (Rabiot, Modric, Fofana, Loftus-Cheek highest)
Defender Salaries: €29 million combined (Tomori tops defenders at €4.6M)
Goalkeeper Salaries: €3.9 million total (Maignan needs contract upgrade)
Mike Maignan’s €2.8 million net salary requires significant increase for renewal. His market value and importance to Milan’s defense justify wages approaching €5-6 million net to match elite Serie A goalkeeper standards.
Richest AC Milan Players by Net Worth
Milan’s squad includes several players who built substantial wealth before joining the club. These net worth figures reflect career earnings, not just current Milan salaries.
| Player | Position | Estimated Net Worth | Age | Years at Milan |
| Luka Modric | Midfielder | $75 million | 40 | 1 season |
| Christian Pulisic | Forward | $40 million | 27 | 2 seasons |
| Rafael Leão | Forward | $20 million | 26 | 5 seasons |
| Álvaro Morata | Forward | $40 million | 32 | Former player |
| Ruben Loftus-Cheek | Midfielder | $18 million | 29 | 2 seasons |
Modric’s $75 million net worth dwarfs Milan teammates despite his lower current salary. His Real Madrid earnings created generational wealth before joining the Rossoneri.
Pulisic accumulated $40 million through Chelsea wages and American market endorsements. His U.S. sponsorships supplement European salaries significantly.
Contract Bonuses and Performance Incentives
Milan structures contracts with substantial performance bonuses beyond base salaries. Champions League qualification bonuses add approximately €500,000-€1 million per player when achieved.
Goal bonuses for attackers range from €50,000-€150,000 per season depending on targets. Clean sheet bonuses reward defenders and goalkeepers €25,000-€75,000 for defensive excellence.
Image rights negotiations allow Milan to reduce taxable salary portions. Players retain 40-50% image rights, generating additional income outside standard wage structures.
How Milan Manages Wage Costs
AC Milan rebuilt financial stability after FFP violations through disciplined wage management. The €104.6 million wage bill represents approximately 50% of projected revenues, maintaining UEFA compliance.
The club avoids offering contracts exceeding four years for players over 30. This prevents aging stars from blocking younger talents while controlling long-term wage commitments.
Milan’s transfer strategy emphasizes free agents and loan-to-buy options. Rabiot’s free transfer allowed higher wages without amortized transfer fees impacting the budget.
FAQs
Who is AC Milan’s highest-paid player?
Rafael Leão, Adrien Rabiot, and Christopher Nkunku share top earner status at €9.3 million gross annually (€5 million net). Growth Decree tax benefits make these contracts particularly cost-effective for the club.
What is AC Milan’s total wage bill?
Milan’s 2025-26 wage bill totals €104.6 million gross, excluding performance bonuses. This makes them Serie A’s mid-tier spenders, behind Inter Milan, Juventus, and Napoli but ahead of Roma and Lazio.
How much does Mike Maignan earn at AC Milan?
Maignan currently earns €2.8 million net (€3.6 million gross) annually. His contract expires in 2026 and requires substantial increase to €5-6 million net for renewal given his elite performance level.
Do AC Milan players receive signing bonuses?
Yes, Milan offers signing bonuses ranging from €2-5 million for major transfers. Free agent signings like Rabiot receive larger bonuses compensating for no transfer fee, often reaching €8-10 million spread across contract length.
How does AC Milan’s wage structure compare to Inter Milan?
Inter Milan’s wage bill exceeds €140 million annually, approximately 35% higher than Milan’s €104.6 million. Inter’s top earners command higher salaries, creating a significant spending gap between the Milanese rivals.
