Whether you like them or not, the highest-paid soccer players are paid astronomical salaries. They can also increase their earnings by doing well in major competitions, like the FIFA World Cup in Qatar this year. According to reports, Lionel Messi’s endorsements will add 20% to his already high salary if Argentina wins the trophy.
But the big bucks don’t just go to the current players. After retirement, legendary and average players alike can also make a lot of money. The top ten richest soccer players of all time are listed below, along with their estimated net worth.
1. Faiq Bolkiah – $20 Billion
Even if you are a soccer fan, the name Faiq Bolkiah may not immediately come to mind. However, this individual is his nephew, and the Sultan of Brunei is well known for his wealth. The Prince of Brunei’s son, Faiq Bolkiah, is thought to have a net worth of $20 billion. Faiq is a former youth player for Leicester City, Chelsea, and Southampton. He currently plays for Chonburi in the Thai League 1.
Additionally, he is a full Bruneian international, having played for his nation six times and scoring once.
He probably doesn’t seem to be bothered by the fact that his wages aren’t as high as those of some of the other players on this list.
2. Mathieu Flamini – $14 Billion
When compared to some of his colleagues on this list, Mathieu Flamini had a very good, if not glittering, career. Throughout his playing career, the unassuming midfielder undoubtedly earned millions of dollars at Arsenal and Milan, two of Europe’s most prestigious clubs.
Flamini, on the other hand, really made it to the big time financially after hanging up his boots.
He co-founded GF Biochemicals, which became the first company in the world to mass-produce levulinic acid.
3. Cristiano Ronaldo – $450 Million
Cristiano Ronaldo, who is tied with Lionel Messi for the title of the greatest player ever, comes in second place on the list. Although the former five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s influence on the field has diminished since returning to Manchester United, he remains exceptional commercially. In England, Ronaldo currently earns around £500,000 ($691,000) per week, which many fans consider to be a significant sum.
Alongside Messi, he is the most attractive figure in soccer and has various arrangements, incorporating ones with Nike and Label Heuer. Ronaldo ranks third on our list and is estimated to have a net worth of nearly $500 million due to his promotional power.
4. Lionel Messi – $400 Million
Lionel Messi ranks fourth on the list of soccer players with the most money. He became a Barcelona fan favorite during his time at Camp Nou. However, in 2021, he switched teams and joined Neymar and Kylian Mbappé (the player with the highest annual salary) at PSG. Even though the next player on this list might disagree, many consider Messi to be the greatest player ever.
It should come as no surprise that he is one of the highest-paid soccer players in the world, with a weekly salary of approximately $859,000.When he joined PSG, he also got a $29.5 million signing bonus. Brands are clamoring to be associated with Messi, as expected, and he has agreements with Adidas, Pepsi, and others.
5. David Beckham – $400 Million
Nobody will be surprised if David Beckham is named one of the wealthiest soccer players in the world.
If you haven’t been under a rock in a while, you have probably noticed how many sponsorships deals the former England captain has. His sponsors include Adidas, Pepsi, Konami, Haig Club, Samsung, Maserati, and Jaguar, but the list goes on and on.
He also made a great living as a player, earning $50 million over five years with LA Galaxy.
However, David Beckham doesn’t just care about money. In addition, he is a UNICEF ambassador and the founder of the charity Malaria No More UK.Congratulations, Becks.
6. Dave Whelan – $220 Million
Dave Whelan is probably unknown to you unless you are an avid English soccer fan. Even if you are, the fact that his name is on the list might surprise you. Between the years 1956 and 1966, Whelan played nearly 200 games in the English football league. In 1960, he even finished second in the FA Cup with Blackburn Rovers.
I know what you’re thinking: weren’t soccer players paid a lot back then? Absolutely not, no.
Whelan, on the other hand, went into business after retiring with great success. He eventually bought Wigan Athletic Football Club as a result of this in 1995. The team reached the Premier League and won the FA Cup under his ownership in 2013.
7. Neymar – $200 Million
Another Brazilian is next: Neymar. When PSG splashed the cash to bring him to Paris in a deal worth €222 million ($261.5 million), he was the most expensive player ever. He played an important role in the Barcelona attack alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez prior to moving to France.
Neymar makes a lot of money at PSG, as you might expect. Each year, he makes $42.5 million, or about $817,000 per week. The Brazilian also has a lot of sponsorship deals, including ones with Puma, Red Bull, and others. Each year, these sponsorships total approximately $25 million.
8. Zlatan Ibrahimović – $190 Million
Zlatan knows better than anyone that he has been one of the world’s most exciting strikers for the past 15 years. He has played for teams all over the world, including AC Milan, Barcelona, Manchester United, LA Galaxy, and PSG. latan is still AC Milan’s highest-paid player, making €7 million ($8.3 million) per year despite being 40 years old. He has also increased his wealth by collaborating with companies like Volvo, Nike, and Nivea.
9. Ronaldo – $160 Million
No prizes for guessing the other, but the first Ronaldo on our list is a true modern soccer legend who was a member of the legendary Brazil team that won the World Cup in 2002. By the late 1990s, the double Ballon d’Or winner was one of the game’s most recognizable faces. In 1996, he signed a contract with Nike that changed his life.
Ronaldo’s deal with Nike, which is said to be worth $180 million, made him one of the richest sports stars in the world, and he is still one of the wealthiest soccer players today. Although Nike paid the Brazilian $180 million, the company designed the Mercurial R9 soccer boot shortly after signing him.
10. Alexandre Pato – $145 Million
After all, unlike many others on this list, he did not exactly ignite the world of football. For many fans, Pato’s failure to live up to his potential stands out. He began his professional career with AC Milan and played for a number of clubs before joining Orlando City in the MLS. His current City salary of 200,000 dollars per month is not comparable to that of the world’s highest-paid players.
However, he has previously been awarded lucrative contracts, including those in China. Additionally, Pato was a well-known figure in Brazil, particularly when he was younger, so he received numerous high-level endorsements.