Football isn’t just the most-watched sport globally; it’s a multi-billion-dollar industry with a massive fan base, lucrative sponsorships, and high-value player contracts. The world’s wealthiest footballers owe their fortunes to this global frenzy, driving significant financial investments in the sport. Recent findings highlight Faiq Bolkiah as the wealthiest footballer globally. This article delves into the top 10 richest football players worldwide. Discover more about these players and their financial success.
List of Top 10 Richest Footballers in the World
Here are the current wealthiest footballers worldwide, based on a 2024 survey.
| S.No. | Name | Net Worth | Team |
| 1. | Faiq Bolkiah | $20 billion | Chonburi F.C., Thailand |
| 2. | Lionel Messi | $600 million | Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) |
| 3. | Cristiano Ronaldo | $500 million | AI Nassar |
| 4. | David Beckham | $450 million | Manchester United |
| 5. | Dave Whelan | $210 million | Blackburn Rovers and Crewe Alexandra |
| 6. | Neymar Jr. | $200 million | Paris-Saint Germain (PSG) |
| 7. | Zlatan Ibrahimovic | $190 million | Serie A Club AC Milan |
| 8. | Kylian Mbappe | $180 million | Ligue 1 Club Pairs-Saint Germain |
| 9. | Wayne Rooney | $170 million | D.C. United |
| 10. | Ronaldo Luis Nazario | $160 million | Real Madrid |
Top 10 Richest Football Players
1. Faiq Bolkiah | $20 billion
| Net Worth | $20 billion |
| Team | Chonburi F.C., Thailand |
Faiq Bolkiah, recognized as the world’s wealthiest football player, boasts a staggering net worth of $20 billion, largely attributed to his illustrious royal lineage. Hailing from Brunei, he represents both his country’s national team and plays as a winger for Thailand’s Chonburi F.C. Despite his affiliation with football, where he earns a modest weekly wage of $1,000, Bolkiah’s princely status stems from his uncle, the Sultan of Brunei. Currently, he serves as a midfielder for the Portuguese club Maritimo, cementing his dual roles in sport and royalty.
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2. Lionel Messi | $600 million
| Net Worth | $600 million |
| Team | Paris-Saint Germain (PSG) |
| Records | Most Balloon D’Or Award, Most Liga Goals and more. |
| Awards | World Soccer Player of the Year, FIFA Balloon D’Or and many other prestigious awards. |
| Books | The “GOAT” Messi and more. |
| Movie | Lionel Messi: The Greatest. |
Lionel Messi, one of football’s most celebrated figures, ranks as the second wealthiest player with an astounding net worth of $600 million. Hailing from Argentina, Messi currently plays as a forward for Paris Saint-Germain and captains the Argentinian national team. His extraordinary talent on the field has solidified his status as a football legend, earning praise from peers and fans alike. Messi boasts an unprecedented 8 Ballon d’Or awards, the most in history, underscoring his dominance in the sport. Beyond football, Messi’s influence extends to literature and cinema, with books and films dedicated to his remarkable career, cementing his legacy as an iconic figure of 21st-century sports.
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3. Cristiano Ronaldo | $500 million
| Net Worth | $500 million |
| Team | AI Nassar |
| Records | Highest goal-scorer in football and many others. |
| Awards | European Golden Shoe, FIFA Ballon D’Or and more. |
| Books | Cristiano Ronaldo: The Rise of a Winner |
| Movie | Cristiano Ronaldo: The World at its Feet. |
Cristiano Ronaldo, hailing from Portugal, serves as the captain of the national team and plays as a forward for AI Nassar in Saudi Arabia. He ranks as the third wealthiest footballer globally, boasting a net worth of $500 million. Ronaldo holds the record for winning 5 Ballon d’Or awards, the most by any European player. He is frequently compared to Lionel Messi, another football legend, with their skills and achievements often sparking professional rivalry discussions. Ronaldo also holds the title of all-time leading goal scorer in international football, marking a significant milestone in his illustrious career.
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4. David Beckham | $450 million
| Net Worth | $450 million |
| Team | Manchester United |
| Records | Only player to win League titles in 4 countries and more |
| Awards | Premier League Player of the Month, BBC Sports Personality of the Year and more |
| Books | Beckham: My World |
David Beckham, renowned as one of the finest players of his era, thrived as an attacking midfielder. He achieved global stardom before retiring, boasting numerous remarkable accomplishments. Beckham showcased his talent in top leagues and iconic clubs such as Manchester United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan, and Paris Saint-Germain. His illustrious career saw him lift 19 major trophies, including 6 Premier League titles, a La Liga title, and an MLS Cup. Retiring from professional football in 2013, Beckham continues to command immense respect across sports and ranks as the fourth wealthiest footballer, with a net worth of $450 million.
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5. Dave Whelan | $210 million
| Net Worth | $210 million |
| Team | Blackburn Rovers and Crewe Alexandra |
| Awards | Freedom of the Borough |
Dave Whelan, born in 1936, began his career as a footballer, notably playing as a winger for Blackburn Rovers and Crewe Alexandra. He achieved success by helping Blackburn Rovers secure the Football League Third Division North title in the 1959–60 season. Retiring from professional football in 1966, Whelan transitioned into business, where he found considerable success.
One of his notable ventures was founding Wigan Athletic football club, where he served as owner and chairman for two decades. In 2020, he handed over ownership to his grandson, who later transferred it to International Entertainment Corporation. Presently, Dave Whelan’s net worth stands at $210 million.
6. Neymar Jr. | $200 million
| Net Worth | $200 million |
| Team | Paris Saint-Germain |
| Records | Youngest player to reach 100 caps for Brazil, All-time highest scorer for Santos, and many more |
| Awards | Ballon D’Or, FIFA Puskas, Player of the Year and many more |
| Books | Neymar: My Story: Conversations with My Father |
| Movie | Neymar: The Perfect Chaos |
Neymar Jr., the renowned Brazilian footballer, is a forward for PSG and a key player in the Brazil national team. Widely regarded as one of Brazil’s greatest footballers, his career highlights include winning two La Liga titles, three Copa del Rey titles, and the UEFA Champions League in 2015 while playing for Barcelona. Neymar’s close friendship with Lionel Messi, which continues at PSG, is cherished by football fans worldwide.
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His contributions were pivotal in Brazil’s victories at the 2016 Olympic Games, where they won gold, and the 2019 Copa América. Neymar’s skill and charisma have made him a beloved figure in the football world, admired for his talent both on and off the field.
7. Zlatan Ibrahimovic | $190 million
| Net Worth | $190 million |
| Team | Serie A Club AC Milan |
| Records | Oldest player ever to score in Serie A, Greatest Striker of All-Time, and more |
| Awards | Best MLS Player ESPY Award, FIFA Puskas, Golden Foot, Serie A Player of the Year, and many more |
| Books | I Am Zlatan Ibrahimović (autobiography) |
| Movie | Asterix & Obelix: The Middle Kingdom (Cameo) |
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, a retired Swedish footballer, excelled as a striker for AC Milan in Italy. Known for his acrobatic goals, technical prowess, and exceptional ball control, he remains celebrated as one of the finest strikers in football history. Ranked as the seventh wealthiest footballer globally, Ibrahimovic amassed a remarkable tally of over 560 career goals. He holds the distinction of being Sweden’s all-time leading goal scorer, netting 62 goals for his national team.
8. Kylian Mbappe | $180 million
| Net Worth | $180 million |
| Team | Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain |
| Records | Four goals in two appearances in the FIFA World Cup finals, and more |
| Awards | FIFA World Cup Golden Boot, Golden Boy, Kopa Trophy, and more |
| Books | Kylian Mbappe: World Soccer Star and more. |
Kylian Mbappé, the dynamic young football sensation from France, is a formidable force as a forward for both Paris Saint-Germain and the French national team. Renowned for his incredible speed and goal-scoring prowess, he has already amassed an impressive collection of accolades early in his career. Among his achievements are four Ligue 1 titles, three Coupe de France victories, and two Coupe de la Ligue triumphs with PSG. Mbappé’s talent has also earned him the prestigious Golden Boot award. Notably, his camaraderie with fellow footballer Achraf Hakimi and his thrilling on-field rivalry with Messi during the 2022 World Cup captivated fans worldwide.
9. Wayne Rooney | $170 million
| Net Worth | $170 million. |
| Team | D.C. United |
| Records | England’s second-most-capped player and second-highest goalscorer. |
| Awards | MLS Best XI, FIFPro World Young Player of the Year, and more. |
| Books | Wayne Rooney: My Decade in the Premier League (autobiography) |
| Movie | ROONEY (Netflix Series). |
Wayne Rooney, a renowned English footballer who specialized as a striker, gained global recognition early in his career with Manchester United. Notably, he became the Premier League’s youngest goal scorer, marking a significant milestone in football history.
During his tenure at Manchester United, Rooney secured 13 trophies and clinched the FIFA Club World Cup once, cementing his legacy in the sport. He retired from professional football in 2021, concluding a remarkable career on the field.
10. Ronaldo Luís Nazário | $160 million
| Net Worth | $160 million |
| Team | Real Madrid |
| Record | Third-highest goal scorer of Brazil, Highest goals in a single La Liga season, and more |
| Awards | European Golden Shoe, FIFA World Player of the Year, World Soccer Player of the Year, Serie A Foreign Footballer of the Year, and more |
Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima, famously known as Ronaldo, is a retired Brazilian footballer who has successfully transitioned into a prominent businessman. Widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, Ronaldo’s career was marked by numerous records and substantial wealth. Notably, he set the record for the highest transfer fee in football history at just 21 years old and remains the youngest ever recipient of the Ballon d’Or award, a feat yet to be surpassed.
Beyond his sporting achievements, Ronaldo has dedicated himself to making a profound impact on humanitarian causes. Since 2000, he has served as a UN goodwill ambassador, leveraging his influence to champion important global initiatives.
Conclusion
Football has transcended its origins as a mere sport to become a colossal industry, offering unprecedented investment opportunities for brands and entrepreneurs alike. With a massive global fanbase, football has evolved into a highly profitable venture. Top footballers, not only earning substantial salaries and bonuses, but also capitalizing on lucrative sponsorship deals and investments, have amassed immense wealth. Faiq Bolkiah, leading the pack with a staggering net worth of $20 billion in a 2023 survey, is joined by icons like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, placing them among the wealthiest individuals globally. Their financial prowess rivals that of top industrialists, granting them access to vast resources worldwide.
FAQ’s on Richest Footballer in the World
Q1. Who is considered the world’s youngest richest footballer?
Ans. Faiq Bolkiah, aged 25, has earned the title of the ‘world’s youngest richest footballer’ with an estimated net worth of approximately £13 billion.
Q2. Which footballer hails from a wealthy family background?
Ans. Faiq Bolkiah, known as the world’s richest football player, comes from royal lineage. He is the nephew of the Sultan of Brunei, whose reported wealth is around £16 billion.
Q3. Who holds the title of the richest footballer of all time?
Ans. Faiq Bolkiah is considered the richest footballer of all time. As the prince of Brunei, his accumulated net worth is estimated at $20 billion.
Q4. Who ranks as the second richest footballer globally?
Ans. Lionel Messi, the legendary footballer from Argentina, holds the position of the second richest footballer in the world, boasting a staggering net worth of $600 million.
Q5. Who are currently the top 10 wealthiest footballers worldwide?
Ans. The top 10 richest footballers globally include Faiq Bolkiah, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham, Dave Whelan, Neymar Jr., Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Kylian Mbappe, Wayne Rooney, and Ronaldo Luís Nazário.