Top 10 richest football player in the world
Surprisingly, neither Cristiano Ronaldo nor Lionel Messi top the list of richest football players in 2024, and you might be surprised who tops the list. We always thought that big boxers like Floyd Mayweather would be the highest-earning sports stars, but they’re not even close. So who is the richest football player in the world? Join Premiumsoccertips to uncover the stories of the “richest football players in the world”. The list as of 2024 includes not only active players, but also some who have retired from this great sport.
Who is the richest football player in the world?
10. Ronaldo Nazario (net worth: $160 million)
Topping the list is none other than legendary Brazilian striker Ronaldo Nazario. Ronaldo is widely considered to be one of the greatest strikers of all time. The now-retired Brazilian star is one of the most technically gifted soccer players of all time. He won the FIFA World Cup in 1994 and 2002. The Brazilian striker remains the youngest recipient of the prestigious Ballon d’Or award (in 1997), having won the award in 2002.
Ronaldo is one of the few players to have played for both direct rivals Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, and also played for both Inter Milan and AC Milan during his playing career. Ronaldo has served as a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador since 2000. He also owns Spanish LaLiga club Real Valladolid.
9. Wayne Rooney ($170 million)
Wayne Rooney is undoubtedly one of the greatest English footballers of all time. After bursting onto the Premier League scene at a young age with Everton, before joining Manchester United and winning every trophy possible and becoming the club’s all-time leading scorer with 253 goals. Rooney is also the only footballer to score 200 goals and 100 assists in Premier League history. He was also England’s all-time leading scorer (53 goals in 120 appearances) before the record was broken by Harry Kane.
After retiring, he embarked on a management career and has managed MLS club DC United, English club Derby County and Birmingham City. He is currently the manager of EFL Championship club Plymouth Argyle FC.
8. Kylian Mbappe ($180 million)
Kylian Mbappe is one of the few active players on the list. Mbappe really made his breakthrough in his entire football career when he led France to the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He became one of the most expensive players of all time ($196 million) after joining PSG from Ligue 1 side AS Monaco.
In the summer of 2024, Mbappe finally fulfilled his childhood dream and followed in the footsteps of his idol Cristiano Ronaldo by joining Real Madrid. Mbappe’s net worth was also boosted by the huge signing bonus he received after joining Real Madrid on a free transfer. The French star and his family are also in talks to buy French second-tier football club Stade Malherbe Caen.
7. Zlatan Ibrahimovic ($190 million)
Ibrahimovic is one of the best strikers in football history. The Swedish striker has played for some of the world’s most famous clubs, including Inter Milan, AC Milan, FC Barcelona, Manchester United, and PSG, bringing success and trophies wherever he has gone. In addition to the huge earnings from his stellar career, Zlatan has also focused on real estate, buying homes from his hometown of Malmö and Are to the Stockholm archipelago.
The self-proclaimed “lion” retired on July 4, 2023, after AC Milan’s final match of the season against Hellas Verona. Zlatan is the all-time leading scorer for the Swedish men’s national football team with 62 goals. He is also part owner of top Swedish club Hammarby IF.
6. Neymar Jr ($200m)
Neymar Jr is one of the most famous Brazilian footballers of all time. He remains one of the smoothest and most graceful footballers in the world. Renowned for his flair and skill, Neymar remains the most expensive player in football history after moving from Barcelona to PSG for €222m in 2017.
Currently playing in the Saudi Pro League with Al Hilal, Neymar is also the all-time leading goalscorer for the Brazil men’s national football team. His career has been hampered by injuries, but Neymar still has the biggest sponsorship deal in football history (£23m/year) after he switched from Puma to Nike in 2020.
5. Dave Whelan ($210 million)
Dave Whelan is a former English footballer who played for Blackburn Rovers and Crewe Alexandra. Interestingly, Whelan played in the 1960 FA Cup Final against Wolves but lost. He retired in April 1966 to focus on his retail grocery business.
He has also had success in setting up other businesses. He is best known as the former owner of English club Wigan Athletic and was also chairman of the club for 20 years. Whelan bought Wigan Athletic when they were a Third Division team in 1955. He helped the club reach the Premier League and also had eight successful years in the top flight of English football. The club also won the FA Cup after defeating Manchester City 1-0 in the 2013 final. His current net worth is $210 million.
4. David Beckham ($450 million)
David Beckham is one of the most famous and recognizable players in the world of soccer. Beckham was always in the spotlight throughout his playing career and that hasn’t changed even after he retired from the great sport.
With a net worth of $450 million, David Beckham is the fourth richest soccer player in the world. The Sunday Times Rich List shows that together with his wife, Victoria Beckham, their combined wealth is $514 million.
When Beckham retired in 2013 after an incredible career at Manchester United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy and Paris Saint-Germain, he was one of the highest-paid athletes in the world, earning nearly $800 million through prize money, sponsorships and debt repayments.
One of the greatest players of his generation, Beckham won an impressive 19 major trophies during his playing career, playing for clubs such as Manchester United, Real Madrid, PSG, AC Milan and LA Galaxy. He was a key part of Manchester United’s early success in the Premier League era and played a major role in their historic treble in 1999. He is the owner of MLS club Inter Miami.
3. Cristano Ronaldo ($500 million)
Arguably the face of football, Cristiano Ronaldo is the most followed person on Instagram and has fans all over the world. Ronaldo will go down in history as one of the greatest footballers of all time and possibly the greatest goalscorer of all time. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has played for some of the most legendary and famous clubs in football history, including Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus.
Ronaldo is the all-time leading scorer in international men’s football, the UEFA Champions League and has a record 895 goals for club and country in his professional career.
Ronaldo has a lifetime deal with Nike, while his current deal with Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr is reportedly worth €200 million per season. The Portuguese superstar also owns several businesses, his CR7 brand produces a variety of products such as clothing, eyewear, footwear, perfumes, etc. He also owns a chain of hotels and restaurants. Ronaldo’s net worth only looks set to skyrocket in the coming years.
2. Lionel Messi ($600 million)
With a net worth in excess of $650 million and career earnings of over $1 billion, Lionel Messi is the second-richest soccer player in the world. Major moves to Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami have bolstered his fortune with lucrative deals that have significantly improved his financial situation.
Aside from soccer, the Argentine star has also ventured into the corporate world with Play Time Sports-Tech, a $200 million holding company committed to investing in media, sports, and technology.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is one of the best soccer players in history. Messi currently plays in Major League Soccer for Inter Miami. The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner is also the most decorated soccer player in history with 45 trophies to his name.
Messi runs the MIM hotel chain in Spain, has dabbled in the fashion business with his own clothing line and worked with luxury company Jacob & Co. on a range of watches.
1. Faiq Bolkiah ($20 billion)
The richest soccer player in the world is Faiq Bolkiah of Ratchaburi FC, a royal from Brunei and the grandson of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah—one of the world’s richest and longest-reigning monarchs. His extraordinary family fortune—estimated at more than $30 billion—rather than his playing achievements defines his personal net worth.
Bolkiah’s wealth is more closely tied to his royal inheritance and the vast assets controlled by the Sultan’s family than his meager soccer income, setting him apart from the world’s richest soccer players.
His time at Leicester City, Chelsea and Maritimo was motivated more by personal enthusiasm than financial need, as his family’s wealth allowed him to pursue his sporting goals without the typical financial constraints faced by emerging players. In addition to being the richest footballer in the world, Faiq Bolkiah is notably the youngest member of this exclusive group.
Conclude
In 2024, the title of the richest football player in the world belongs to Faiq Bolkiah, with a staggering net worth of $20 billion. As a member of Brunei’s royal family and the grandson of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, his wealth is rooted in inheritance rather than football earnings. While legends like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and David Beckham rank highly due to their illustrious careers and business ventures, Faiq’s immense fortune sets him apart. This unique blend of royal lineage and passion for football highlights how diverse the pathways to wealth in the sport can be.
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