List of Top 10 Richest Footballers in the World 2024
In addition to being the most popular sport in the world, football, or soccer as it is known in some regions, is also one of the most profitable. The greatest football players in the world are renowned for their extraordinary wealth in addition to their on-field prowess.
Football players are more financially successful than ever in 2024, with record-breaking contracts, sponsorship deals, and business endeavors bringing in enormous quantities of money.
According to a recent survey, football star Faiq Bolkiah is the richest player in the world. Argentina’s legendary Lionel Messi comes in second on the list, followed by Portugal’s superstar Cristiano Ronaldo in third place.
The industry is valued at billions of dollars, and top performers are compensated handsomely for their accomplishments. The richest football players in the world make millions of dollars in salary each year; some have even amassed fortunes in the billions.
A football player’s income is determined by a variety of factors, including investments, sponsorships, bonuses, and compensation. Some of the richest football players in the world earn extra cash from running their own businesses or from other endeavors.
The top ten richest football players in the world as of 2024 are shown below.
1. Faiq Bolkiah
Net Worth: $20 billion
Team: Chonburi F.C., Thailand
Faiq Bolkiah is the richest football player in the world, with a $20 billion net worth, primarily because of his royal ancestry. Bolkiah is a professional football player from Brunei who plays both for his nation’s national team and as a winger for Chonburi F.C. in Thailand.
As Prince of the Kingdom of Brunei, he holds the title. Bolkiah’s uncle is Bruneian Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. The Prince of Brunei, Jefri Bolkiah, is his father. His large net worth is mostly the result of his wealth and royal pedigree, as further proven by the fact that he plays football for just $1,000 a week. Faiq Bolkiah now plays midfield for the Portuguese team Maritimo.
2. Lionel Messi
Net Worth: $650 million
Team: Paris Saint-German (PSG)
Popular football star Lionel Messi is the second richest football player with an astounding net worth of $650 million. Because of his incredible on-field performance, he is well-known. Messi is a forward for Paris Saint-Germain and an Argentinean professional football player. He also serves as captain of the Argentina national team. With his on-field accomplishments, Messi has solidified his position in football history, and other great players have often expressed their admiration for him.
For him, winning eight Ballon d’Or awards is a record in and of itself. He has also been the recipient of the most awards of any player in football history. There are books and movies being written on him as he rises to prominence as a sports icon of the twenty-first century.
3. Cristiano Ronaldo
Net worth: $550 million
Team: Al Nassar
In the football world, Cristiano Ronaldo is still a financial force to be reckoned with. Ronaldo, who plays for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, earns a lot of money via his big contract, several endorsements, and business endeavors such as his CR7 brand. His millions of fans on social media also greatly contribute to his wealth.
Cristiano Ronaldo is the third-richest football player in the world, with a net worth of $550 million.
4. David Beckham
Net Worth: $470 million
Team: Manchester United
David Beckham, one of the all-time greats, was a fantastic attacking midfielder during this time. He had a long list of notable accomplishments and was immensely well-liked throughout the world prior to his retirement. He has played for several leagues and illustrious teams in his football career, such as Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Manchester United, AC Milan, and the LA Galaxy. In 2013, Beckham declared his retirement.
His 19 major trophy triumphs included one La Liga championship, one MLS Cup, and six Premier League crowns. With a $470 million net worth, he is the fourth richest football player and is still highly regarded in a number of sports despite quitting professional football in 2013.
5. Dave Whelan
Net Worth: $220 million
Team: Blackburn Rovers and Crewe Alexandra
Dave Whelan was a former English football player and businessman. He was born in 1936 and played as a winger. He played football for Blackburn Rovers and Crewe Alexandra. His 1959–60 Football League Third Division North championship with Blackburn Rovers is one of his achievements.
He formed the Wigan Athletic football club and went on to become successful in business after quitting professional football in 1966. After 20 years as its chairman and owner, he gave his grandson ownership, which International Entertainment Corporation later acquired. Right now, he has a net worth of $220 million.
6. Neymar Jr.
Net Worth: $210 million
Team: Paris Saint-German (PSG)
Paris Saint-Germain player Neymar Jr. is well-known for his flare both on and off the field. His major sources of income include his contract with PSG, his endorsement deals with international companies like Puma and Red Bull, and his forays into the entertainment sector.
Neymar is among the wealthiest football players of today thanks to his lifestyle and commercial partnerships. Brazil’s gold medal victories in the 2016 Olympics and the 2019 Copa America were greatly aided by his assistance. Neymar Jr. is currently the sixth richest football player in the world with a net worth of $210 million.
7. Kylian Mbappe
Net Worth: $200 million
Team: Real Madrid
Kylian Mbappe, a talented young forward, set to make a stunning debut for his dream franchise Real Madrid, is a French striker. His speed and goal-scoring prowess make him a dangerous forward to beware of.
Even though his career is young, he has already garnered a great deal of recognition, winning four Ligue 1 titles, three Coupe de France titles, and two Coupe de la Ligue titles while playing for PSG. He also possesses the Golden Boot. The fans’ favorite aspects of the 2022 World Cup were his on-field rivalry with Messi and his camaraderie with fellow football player Achraf Hakimi
In his 21 France games, Mbappe has scored 17 goals. In addition to being selected the FIFA World Cup’s Best Young Player, he assisted France in winning the competition.
Mbappe is presently the 7th richest football player in the world with a net worth of $200 million.
8. Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Net Worth: $195 million
Team: Serie A Club AC Milan
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a retired Swedish football player who played forward for the Italian team AC Milan. He is also the ninth richest football player in the world. He is renowned for having extraordinary skill, ball control, and technique. He is his country’s all-time leading goal scorer with 62 goals. Over 560 goals have been scored by him in his career.
He has won 33 trophies in his career, including eleven league titles, five UEFA Champions League championships, and one FIFA Club World Cup. In the years 2002,2006, 2010, 2012, and 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying, he supported Sweden.
9. Wayne Rooney
Net Worth: $180 million
Team: D.C. United
Wayne Rooney, a former English professional football player, was a striker. Playing for the powerful Manchester United as a teenager, he scored his first goal in Premier League history, propelling him to international attention.
After winning one FIFA Club World Cup and 13 championships with Manchester United, Rooney announced his retirement from football in 2021.
Wayne Rooney is now the 9th richest footballer in the world with net worth of $180 million.
10. Ronaldo Luis Nazario
Net Worth: $170 million
Team: Real Madrid
Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima, better known by his stage name Ronaldo, is a retired football player from Brazil. Like Whelan, Ronaldo is a successful businessman. He’s considered one of the greatest football players of all time. Ronaldo smashed several records and accumulated vast wealth over his career. At age 21, he became the most expensive player in football history and broke the record for the youngest Ballon d’Or winner. It remains the record to this day.
He has served as a UN goodwill ambassador since 2000, utilizing his position and connections to significantly and constructively address humanitarian issues.
With net worth of $170 million, he is now world’s 10th ranked richest footballer.
Conclusion
These football players’ financial success is a result of their skill, commitment, and ability to use their brand to their advantage both on and off the field. Football players’ salaries are expected to increase as the game expands internationally and new talent emerges to challenge the sport’s wealthiest players. The world’s most lucrative sport, football, has enormous financial potential, as seen by the top 10 richest football players of 2024.