Breaking Down the Turkey Star’s Salary After His Move to Portugal
When Orkun Kokcu signed for Benfica in the summer of 2023, it marked a big step up in his career — and in his paycheck too. The Turkish international left his boyhood club Feyenoord after five standout seasons in the Eredivisie to take on a new challenge in Portugal. The move came with expectations, excitement, and a healthy salary that reflects his growing status on the European stage.
Now a regular fixture in Benfica’s midfield and considered one of the club’s most important players, Kokcu is being handsomely rewarded for his performances. But how much does the Turkey star actually earn at Benfica? Let’s take a closer look at his wages, his place among the club’s top earners, and where he ranks in Liga Portugal and beyond.
Kokcu’s Salary at Benfica: Weekly and Annual Breakdown
Under his current contract — which runs until 2028 — Orkun Kokcu earns €57,692 per week playing for Benfica. That adds up to a total annual salary of €3 million, making him one of the best-paid players at the Lisbon-based giants.
While Kokcu isn’t quite at the very top of the wage ladder at Benfica, he still ranks fifth overall at the club. For a 23-year-old who only recently arrived in Portugal, that’s no small feat. And given his steady form and growing influence in midfield, his value to the team seems to be increasing by the week.
To put that into a broader perspective, here’s how Kokcu’s Benfica salary breaks down:
- Weekly salary: €57,692
- Annual salary: €3,000,000
It’s a significant bump from what he was reportedly earning at Feyenoord, and well-deserved for a player who’s now helping dictate the rhythm of matches at one of Portugal’s biggest clubs.
The Top Earners at Benfica: Where Kokcu Ranks
Though Kokcu is among the elite at Benfica in terms of salary, he has some big names ahead of him on the payroll. Renato Sanches, who returned to Benfica in 2023 after stints with Bayern Munich, Lille, and PSG, leads the pack with a whopping €133,077 per week, or €6.92 million per year.
Tied in second, third, and fourth place are three other high-profile players: Anatoli Trubin, Ángel Di María, and Arthur Cabral, each reportedly on €74,038 per week or €3.85 million annually.
Here’s a breakdown of Benfica’s top five earners:
| Player | Nationality | Weekly Wages (€) | Annual Salary (€) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Renato Sanches | Portuguese | €133,077 | €6,920,000 |
| Anatoli Trubin | Ukrainian | €74,038 | €3,850,000 |
| Ángel Di María | Argentine | €74,038 | €3,850,000 |
| Arthur Cabral | Brazilian | €74,038 | €3,850,000 |
| Orkun Kokcu | Turkish | €57,692 | €3,000,000 |
Despite being just outside the top tier, Kokcu is comfortably inside the top five, ahead of many established names — a testament to how highly he’s valued by Benfica both on and off the pitch.
Benfica Dominating Liga Portugal’s Wage Rankings
Benfica’s financial muscle is on full display when you look at the broader wage landscape of Liga Portugal. Of the five highest-paid players in the entire league, four are from Benfica.
Renato Sanches again tops the list for the league, followed closely by Francisco Trincão of Sporting CP, who comes in second with an estimated salary of €75,000 per week, or €4 million annually.
Here are the top five earners in Liga Portugal:
| Player | Club | Weekly Wages (€) | Annual Salary (€) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Renato Sanches | Benfica | €133,077 | €6,920,000 |
| Francisco Trincão | Sporting CP | €75,000 | €4,000,000 |
| Anatoli Trubin | Benfica | €74,038 | €3,850,000 |
| Ángel Di María | Benfica | €74,038 | €3,850,000 |
| Arthur Cabral | Benfica | €74,038 | €3,850,000 |
While Kokcu just misses out on this top five when looking league-wide, his salary still places him comfortably among the elite in Portuguese football.
Orkun Kokcu: A Worthy Investment for Benfica
Since arriving from Feyenoord, Kokcu has made an immediate impact. He brings calmness, control, and creativity to Benfica’s midfield — the kind of qualities you can build a team around. His leadership at a young age, combined with his technical ability and tactical intelligence, makes him an asset that’s more than worth the €3 million a year Benfica are paying him.
He also brings international pedigree to the squad. As a regular with the Turkish national team, Kokcu is gaining valuable experience on the international stage, which only adds to his value at the club level.
And with a contract running until 2028, Benfica have locked in a player who could very well be central to their ambitions in both domestic and European competitions over the coming years.
How Kokcu’s Wages Compare Globally
Of course, when you zoom out to the global level, Kokcu’s salary is dwarfed by the astronomical sums being paid in places like the Saudi Pro League. The top five earners in world football are all based in Saudi Arabia, with Cristiano Ronaldo leading the way at €3.85 million per week, or a mind-boggling €200 million annually.
Here’s a quick look at the top earners globally:
| Player | Club | Weekly Wages (€) | Annual Salary (€) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cristiano Ronaldo | Al Nassr | €3,846,154 | €200,000,000 |
| Karim Benzema | Al Ittihad | €1,923,077 | €100,000,000 |
| Riyad Mahrez | Al Ahli | €1,003,846 | €52,200,000 |
| Sadio Mané | Al Nassr | €769,231 | €40,000,000 |
| Kalidou Koulibaly | Al Hilal | €667,308 | €34,700,000 |
No player in Liga Portugal comes close to those figures — but that’s not the point. Kokcu’s earnings may look modest next to Ronaldo’s, but they reflect his rising profile and Benfica’s belief in his long-term potential.
