Who are the 10 Richest Footballers in the World?

Top division footballers are some of the best paid individuals on the planet - the huge sums being dealt in the upper echelons of the game can see some players make more in a week than many do in a decade.

As soon as a player earns a contract at top clubs such as Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Liverpool, their wages are given a huge bump, with the most important players earning close to £400k per week.

In Saudi Arabia, there is even more money floating around, with some players earning almost £1 million per week - £52 million in a year would enable a player to go anywhere and do anything, so it is unsurprising so many players jumped ship to the Saudi League.

However, the richest players are the individuals who have been playing at the highest level for years on end - their other worldly talent and the frequent exposure also attracts advertising and marketing opportunities, allowing these players to add to their wealth.

So here, Football Park takes a look at the 10 richest footballers in the world today, and how they earned their money.

For those who hate spoilers, look away now - the following list contains all the names included in this list:

• Kylian Mbappe
• Karim Benzema
• Neymar Jr
• Lionel Messi
• Cristiano Ronaldo
• Wayne Rooney
• Zlatan Ibrahimovic
• Dave Whelan
• David Beckham
• Faiq Bolkiah

10. Kylian Mbappe - Net Worth: $180M

One of, if not the best player in the world on his day, Mbappe’s electric approach to the beautiful game earned him recognition early on in his career.

His outstanding performance against Man City in the UCL quarter-finals back in 2017 aged just 18 saw him shoot into the spotlight, and the sponsorships, advertising campaigns and huge salaries have fallen into his lap since.

9. Zlatan Ibrahimovic - Net Worth: $190M

One of the most recognisable footballing figures from the last 25 years, “Ibra” became an icon over the course of career due to his personality as much as for his talent with the ball.

A potent goalscorer who achieved almost everything everywhere he went, the Swede’s killer attitude and overflowing self confidence made him a desirable personality, a trait that saw him in demand for marketing for virtually his entire career

8. Karim Benzema - Net Worth: $200M

The 2023 Ballon d’Or winner, the Frenchman had already accumulated a considerable fund prior to his move to the Saudi League. However, his contract at Al-Ittihad took his net wealth into a new stratosphere.

Earning an estimated £172 million a season, it is one of the biggest football contracts in the world. The only reason Benzema isn’t higher up this list is down to the fact that he has only been in the Middle East for 18 months.

7. Wayne Rooney - Net Worth: $216M

One of the finest players to ever grace the Premier League, Rooney was one of the best paid players in the division for over a decade - this would have provided him with a nice retirement fund when he hung up his boots in 2021.

Though stepping into management offers less money than a paying contract. However, through a number of smart business ventures, expensive endorsement deals and what remains of his huge playing fees, Rooney still has plenty left in the tank.

6. Dave Whelan - Net Worth: $230M

A former player for Blackburn and Crewe Alexandra in the 60’s, Whelan was forced to retire after a severe leg break, a move which saw him turn to business.

It is fair to say it has been a resounding success. Whelan now owns his own company, Whelan Sports, and also has large shares in other bodies such as JJB sports - he was even the owner of Wigan Athletic when the Lactics historically won the FA Cup in 2013.

5. Neymar Jr - Net Worth: $250M

One of the best raw talents to ever come out of Brazil, Neymar’s injury prone career hasn’t put any stoppers on his income. One of the most recognisable players on the planet, he is every brand’s dream to endorse their products.

Combining his in demand advertising status with his bumper playing contracts, it is easy to see how the mercurial winger amassed his wealth - his 18 month stay at Al-Hilal alone earned him around $225 million.

4. David Beckham - Net Worth: $450M

A prime example of a player who used his iconic status as a player to fuel his post-football career, Beckham is likely one of the most business savvy ex-players in the world.

Earning around $800 million from his playing career alone, Beckham has reinvested that money smartly - he boasts a real estate portfolio of around $88 million, owns football club Inter Miami, at which both Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez play, and it one of the most recognisable faces on the planet thanks to the countless ads and marketing campaigns he has starred in.

3. Lionel Messi - Net Worth: $650M

Being in the “best of all time” conversation obviously has its benefits. Despite being in the twilight of his career, Messi still earns around $20 million annually from his contract at David Beckham’s Inter Miami, and his partnerships with Pepsi and Adidas help him to rake in further cash.

Over the course of his career, Messi has reportedly earned $1.15 BILLION - only three athletes, Cristiano Ronaldo, Tiger Woods and Lebron James can say they have earned more across their playing days.

2. Cristiano Ronaldo - Net Worth $850M

Battling with Messi for the best part of a decade and a half over the “best of all time” title, the Portuguese talisman has had an equally, if not more lucrative career than the Argentinian.

Having amassed over a billion throughout his playing career, Ronaldo is able to boast investments and partnerships with companies such as Tag Heuer, KFC and Armani, while he also has a lifetime deal with Nike, which is said to be worth up to $1 Billion alone.

1. Faiq Bolkiah - Net Worth: $20B

Arguably the least reputable player on this list, Faiq Bolkiah tops the rich rankings due to his royal background. Part of the Brunei royal family, Bolkiah may not be as talented a footballer as the rest on this list, but who needs a wage when your inheritance sits at around $20 billion?

There are limited details over the brand deals and endorsements he takes part in, but what is known is that his weekly wage sits at around £2000 a week - pocket money, we suppose?