In a move that sent ripples through the soccer world, UEFA released its financial report for the previous 2023-24 season. At the center of attention was one figure: Aleksander Ceferin, UEFA’s president since 2016.
In a move that sent ripples through the soccer world, UEFA released its financial report for the previous 2023-24 season, laying bare the intricate details of the organization’s earnings, expenditures, and leadership compensation. At the center of attention was one figure: Aleksander Ceferin, UEFA’s president since 2016.
Though the report covered the governing body’s broader fiscal operations, what truly stood out was the meteoric rise in Ceferin’s earnings — a detail that not only caught fans and analysts off guard but also invited direct comparison with FIFA’s top brass.
Since assuming office in September 2016, Aleksander Ceferin has steadily consolidated his position at the helm of European soccer, winning re-election and steering the organization through pandemic-era uncertainties and the rapidly evolving commercial landscape of elite soccer. But while the Slovenian’s leadership has often drawn praise for stability, his remuneration has quietly climbed with each passing year.
According to UEFA’s latest financial report, Ceferin earned a gross salary of $3.7 million last season. This figure reflects a 13% year-on-year increase, amounting to an additional 435,000 euros compared to the previous season. That’s not all. He also receives an annual stipend of almost $300,000 euros as a FIFA vice-president, a position he holds in parallel with his UEFA role. Over the course of his presidency, the Slovenian has reportedly earned nearly $19.9 million in total.
To place this in perspective, Ceferin’s salary has grown by an eye-watering 108% since his first season, when he earned $1.82 million. The average annual growth rate of his compensation stands at 9.6% — a trend that has continued despite widespread conversations about financial fairness and transparency in soccer governance.
Infantino’s empire: Different league?
While Ceferin’s earnings have certainly raised eyebrows, they still trail behind those of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who heads the sport’s global governing body.
In May 2024, FIFA revealed that Infantino’s total pay package for the previous year had surpassed $4.67 million, thanks to a significant 33% raise. His base salary alone rose to over $2.78 million, while his annual bonus remained a hefty $1.87 million.
According to FIFA’s financial report, “Infantino’s pre-tax base salary payment rose by more than $565,000 last year [2023]… His annual bonus was worth $1.87m, the same as in 2022.”
Though Ceferin’s salary comes close in raw numbers, Infantino remains the best-paid executive in world soccer, particularly when bonuses and tax arrangements are factored in. The FIFA president has been known to split his time between Switzerland, Qatar, and Florida — with the latter offering the additional financial benefit of zero state income tax.
