Top 10 Richest Footballer in The World 2025

by karan — April 24, 2025 in Football

Have you ever wondered who’s making the most money in the football world? When we talk about the top 10 richest footballer in the world, most people think of names like Ronaldo or Messi.

But would you believe the richest footballer isn’t who you’d expect? Football has become more than just a sport—it’s a global business empire that creates millionaires and even billionaires.

These players accumulate wealth from their incredible salaries, massive endorsement deals, smart investments, and sometimes even royal inheritance!

Some built their fortune through decades of performance at the highest level, while others had advantages most of us couldn’t imagine.

Richest Footballer in The World

Let’s dive into this list of football’s billionaire and multi-millionaire who’ve turned their talents into incredible fortunes.

Understanding Football Wealth: More Than Just Salaries

Before we dive into our list, it’s important to understand that footballers make money in several ways:

Playing contracts – The basic salary paid by their clubs
Performance bonuses – Extra money for goals, assists, wins, and championships
Endorsement deals – Partnerships with brands like Nike, Adidas, and Puma
Business ventures – Hotels, clothing lines, and other investments
Image rights – Money paid to use their name and likeness
Social media influence – Sponsored posts and partnerships
Personal inheritance – Family wealth (relevant for at least one player on this list)

Now, let’s meet the wealthiest footballers in the world as of 2024!

Faiq Bolkiah – The Royal Footballer

At the top of our list with an astounding net worth of $20 billion is someone many football fans might not recognize: Faiq Bolkiah.

What makes Faiq’s story so unique is that, unlike other players on this list, his wealth doesn’t primarily come from football earnings. Bolkiah is a member of the Brunei royal family and nephew to the Sultan of Brunei, which explains his enormous fortune.

Here’s what makes Faiq Bolkiah’s situation so remarkable:

Born into the incredibly wealthy royal family of Brunei
Pursued a football career despite not needing to work for financial reasons
Played for youth academies at prestigious clubs, including Chelsea and Leicester City
His wealth is primarily inherited rather than earned through football

Faiq’s net worth is so substantial that it dwarfs the combined wealth of all other footballers on this list. The gap between Bolkiah and the second-richest footballer is so vast that it creates an almost separate category – his $20 billion is more than 22 times the wealth of the next player on our list!

Cristiano Ronaldo – The CR7 Empire

Coming in second place with a net worth of $903 million is the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo’s wealth comes from multiple streams that he’s built throughout his illustrious career:

Massive playing contracts from Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and now Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia
The CR7 brand encompasses clothing lines, hotels, and lifestyle products
Endorsement deals with companies like Nike, Clear, and many others
Social media presence – being the most followed person on Instagram creates tremendous earning potential

What makes Ronaldo’s financial success particularly impressive is his consistency and business acumen. His five Ballon d’Or awards recognize him as one of the world’s best players, while his current contract with Al Nassr reportedly pays him around $200 million per year, making it one of the most lucrative deals in sports history.

At 39 years old (as of 2024), Ronaldo continues to play at an elite level while expanding his business ventures, suggesting his wealth will likely continue growing even after he eventually retires from professional football.

Lionel Messi – The Eight-Time Ballon d’Or Winner

In third place with a net worth of $650 million is Lionel Messi, widely considered one of the greatest footballers of all time.

Messi’s journey to incredible wealth has been built on his unparalleled skill and consistency:

Record-breaking contracts with FC Barcelona and later Paris Saint-Germain
A lucrative deal with Inter Miami in the MLS that includes profit-sharing
Major endorsement deals with brands like Adidas, Pepsi, and Apple
Business investments in various sectors, including real estate

What distinguishes Messi financially are his eight Ballon d’Or awards – more than any player in history. His move to Inter Miami in 2023 included an innovative contract structure that gives him base salary, profit-sharing from MLS broadcast rights, and ownership stake options after retirement.

At 36 years old (as of 2024), Messi continues performing at an elite level while preparing for life after football through strategic business decisions.

Neymar Jr. – Brazil’s Global Superstar

Fourth on our list with a net worth of $250 million is the Brazilian sensation Neymar Jr.

Neymar burst onto the global stage at a young age and quickly turned his flair and marketability into significant wealth:

Record-breaking transfer when PSG paid €222 million to sign him from Barcelona
A massive salary from his current club, Al Hila,l in Saudi Arabia
Extensive endorsement deals with Nike, Red Bull, Beats, and many others
Social media influence with hundreds of millions of followers

What makes Neymar’s wealth journey unique is that he became financially successful at a much younger age than most footballers. His playing style and personality make him exceptionally marketable, and his move to Saudi Arabia significantly boosted his earnings with a base salary of approximately €150 million per year.

At 32 years old (as of 2024), Neymar still has prime earning years ahead despite struggling with injuries.

Karim Benzema – The Late-Blooming Superstar

Fifth on our list with a net worth of $200 million is French striker Karim Benzema.

Benzema’s path to wealth is interesting because his highest earnings came later in his career:

14 years at Real Madrid, building a reputation for excellence
Five Champions League titles have increased his market value
A Ballon d’Or win in 2022 at age 34
A massive contract with Al-Ittihad worth reportedly $436 million over two years

What makes Benzema’s financial story unique is that his highest earnings came after age 34, unusual in football. His move to Saudi Arabia dramatically increased his wealth with approximately $218 million per year in basic salary.

At 36 years old (as of 2024), Benzema is in the latter stages of his career but has secured his financial future with his Saudi Arabian contract.

Zlatan Ibrahimović – The Football Personality

Sixth on our list with a net worth of $190 million is the charismatic Swedish star Zlatan Ibrahimović.

Ibrahimović’s wealth comes from a combination of:

Playing contracts with top clubs including AC Milan, PSG, Manchester United, and LA Galaxy
Endorsement deals with Nike, Volvo, and many others
Business investments, including his own sports brand A-Z
Book sales from his autobiography

What makes Zlatan’s wealth story unique is his larger-than-life personality that created marketing opportunities. He played for nine different major clubs across Europe and America and remained marketable into his late 30s and early 40s.

Though now retired from playing (as of 2024), Zlatan’s business ventures and investments continue to generate income.

Kylian Mbappé – The Young Fortune

Seventh on our list with a net worth of $180 million is French phenom Kylian Mbappé.

At just 25 years old (as of 2024), Mbappé has already amassed substantial wealth through:

Record-breaking transfer from Monaco to PSG
Massive salary from his playing contract, one of the highest in football
Major endorsement deal with Nike, making him their flagship football athlete
Strategic investments guided by financial advisors

What makes Mbappé’s wealth remarkable is that he achieved financial success at an extremely young age. He won a World Cup at 19, increasing his marketability dramatically. His reported earnings include a base salary exceeding €40 million annually and a Nike deal worth approximately €15 million per year.

As the youngest player in our top 10, Mbappé has the potential to climb higher on this list over the coming decade.

Paul Pogba – Style and Substance

Eighth on our list with a net worth of $125 million is French midfielder Paul Pogba.

Pogba’s wealth has been built through:

Record-breaking transfer when Manchester United paid €105 million to sign him from Juventus
High salary from his playing contracts
Major endorsement deal with Adidas reportedly worth over €40 million
Social media presence with millions of followers

What distinguishes Pogba financially is his distinctive style and personality, which created marketing opportunities. He was the world’s most expensive player when he moved to Manchester United, and his World Cup win with France increased his global profile.

At 31 years old (as of 2024), Pogba’s career has been affected by injuries and controversies, which have impacted his earning potential. Nevertheless, his established brand and investments ensure he remains among football’s wealthiest players.

Antoine Griezmann – The French Forward

Ninth on our list with a net worth of $90 million is French attacker Antoine Griezmann.

Griezmann has built his wealth through:

High-value contracts with Atlético Madrid and Barcelona
Endorsement deal with Puma as one of their leading football athletes
Gaming interests, including partnerships with esports teams
Investments in horses and racing stables

What makes Griezmann’s financial profile interesting is his distinctive celebration moves that became marketing opportunities. He maintained his value despite a difficult spell at Barcelona, and his World Cup success with France boosted his profile.

At 33 years old (as of 2024), Griezmann continues to perform at a high level for both club and country, with a base salary estimated at €12 million annually and a Puma deal worth approximately €4 million per year.

Mohamed Salah – The Egyptian King

Completing our top 10 with a net worth of $90 million is Liverpool star Mohamed Salah.

Salah’s path to wealth includes:

Transformative contract with Liverpool, making him one of the Premier League’s highest-paid players
Adidas endorsement after switching from Nike
Massive popularity in Egypt and the Arab world creates unique marketing opportunities
Strategic investments guided by professional advisors

What makes Salah’s wealth story unique is that he became a global star relatively late after struggles at Chelsea. His impact at Liverpool dramatically increased his earning power, and he has unparalleled popularity in Egypt and across the Middle East.

At 31 years old (as of 2024), Salah remains one of the premier attackers in world football, with a Liverpool salary reported at over £18 million annually and an Adidas deal worth approximately £10 million per year.

Comparative Analysis: How Do They Stack Up?

To better understand how these footballers compare financially, let’s look at this comparative table:

Rank	Player	Net Worth	Age (2024)	Primary Wealth Source	Notable Factor
1	Faiq Bolkiah	$20 billion	26	Royal inheritance	Brunei royal family member
2	Cristiano Ronaldo	$903 million	39	Playing + CR7 brand	Highest-paid contract ever
3	Lionel Messi	$650 million	36	Playing + endorsements	Record 8 Ballon d’Ors
4	Neymar Jr.	$250 million	32	Record transfer + salary	Highest transfer fee ever
5	Karim Benzema	$200 million	36	Saudi contract	Late-career earnings spike
6	Zlatan Ibrahimović	$190 million	42	Multi-club career	Personality marketing
7	Kylian Mbappé	$180 million	25	Early success + contracts	Youngest on the list
8	Paul Pogba	$125 million	31	Record transfer + Adidas	Style-based marketing
9	Antoine Griezmann	$90 million	33	Club contracts + Puma	Outside investments
10	Mohamed Salah	$90 million	31	Liverpool success + regional appeal	Middle East market dominance

This comparison reveals several interesting patterns:

Age isn’t always a factor – wealth ranges across different ages
Playing success correlates with wealth – most have won major trophies
Saudi Arabian contracts have significantly impacted recent wealth rankings
Marketability matters – personality and image rights generate substantial income
Regional appeal can create unique revenue opportunities

Frequently Asked Questions About Football Wealth

How do footballers make most of their money?

Most professional footballers earn money through base salaries from their clubs, performance bonuses, image rights, endorsement deals, social media promotions, and business investments outside of football. For the top players, endorsements and business ventures often exceed their playing salaries.

Why are Saudi Arabian clubs paying such high salaries?

Saudi clubs are offering unprecedented contracts as part of Vision 2030, aiming to build the Saudi Pro League into one of the world’s top leagues. Bringing star players increases global visibility for Saudi football and is part of a broader strategy to diversify the economy beyond oil.

Is inheritance a common source of wealth for footballers?

No, inheritance is extremely rare as a primary wealth source for footballers. Faiq Bolkiah is a unique case because of his royal family connections. The vast majority of footballers build their wealth through professional contracts, endorsement deals, business ventures, and investments.

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Conclusion: The Changing Landscape of Football Wealth

The list of the top 10 richest footballers in the world shows us how the beautiful game has become a pathway to extraordinary wealth.

From royal connections to brand-building brilliance, these players have accumulated fortunes that would have been unimaginable for footballers of previous generations.

What’s particularly interesting about this list is how it reflects the evolving financial landscape of football.

The entry of Saudi Arabian clubs has dramatically changed the earning potential for elite players, while social media and global marketing have created new revenue streams beyond traditional salaries and endorsements.

The gap between Faiq Bolkiah and the rest of the list highlights how exceptional his situation is.

While his royal inheritance puts him in a different category altogether, the achievements of players like Ronaldo and Messi in building wealth through their talents and business acumen are perhaps even more impressive.

For young players, this list provides valuable lessons about the importance of brand building alongside playing success, how career longevity can lead to greater wealth accumulation, the value of smart investments outside of football, how geographical markets can impact earning potential, and the benefit of professional financial guidance.

As football continues to grow globally, we can expect to see even more players joining the ranks of the super-wealthy.

The financial side of football has become almost as competitive as the sport itself, with players strategically positioning themselves to maximize earnings throughout and beyond their playing careers.

Top 10 Richest Footballer in The World 2025

Richest Footballer in The World