Ever wondered who is the richest football player in the world? From Cristiano Ronaldo to Lionel Messi and Neymar, we take you through some of the top contenders for the title of highest-earning soccer player. Learn exactly how much they make and where they’ve acquired their riches!
Lionel Messi – Net Worth $400 million.
Barcelona’s Lionel Messi holds the title of the world’s highest-paid footballer, raking in a cool $400 million. He has contracts with Adidas, Pepsi, as well as his sponsorship from Gatorade. In addition to this, he receives a salary of $64 million per year from Barcelona which alone accounts for a majority of his wealth.
Cristiano Ronaldo – Net Worth $360 million.
Football star Cristiano Ronaldo comes in a close second to Lionel Messi, with an estimated net worth of $360 million. Although the Portuguese superstar officially retired from the sport, he remains one of the richest footballers and is renowned for his marketing skills. He has endorsements deals with popular brands like Nike and Tag Heuer, as well as his own CR7 collection. His salary at Juventus is approximately $64 million per year, making him one of the highest-paid players in Europe.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic – Net Worth$290 million.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is one of the most iconic players in world football and has had a long career spanning over two decades. He currently plays for Serie A side AC Milan, and is the second-highest earner in Italian football. His net worth stands at an estimated $290 million, many of which comes from lucrative sponsorship deals with global brands like Volvo and Nike. He has also invested heavily in property, owning several properties across Europe.
Neymar Jr – Net Worth $200 million.
Neymar Jr is the second richest football player in the world with an estimated net worth of around $200 million. The Brazilian forward plays for Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain, and his immense wealth comes from his wages at PSG and multiple lucrative sponsorship deals. His net worth has also been bolstered significantly by his association with Spanish clothing retailer Zara, who gave him a lifetime royalty deal thought to be worth over $10 million.
Gareth Bale – Net worth $145 million.
The Welsh ace at Real Madrid, Gareth Bale has a net worth estimated to be around $145 million. Bale began his career at Southampton and rose to prominence while playing with Tottenham Hotspur. He went on to join Madrid in 2013, becoming one of the most expensive players ever when they paid £85 million for him. Bale’s wealth is significantly enhanced by his current salary of over £20 million per year and high profile sponsorship deals with Adidas, Lucozade and BT Sport.
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