Football, after all, is one of the most lucrative sports on earth because contracts, endorsement deals, and business ventures net players millions. Some footballers have attained humongous wealth to rank among the richest athletes ever. Below is a detailed classification of the top most 10 wealthiest football players in the world, their earnings, endorsements, and business ventures that contributed to their fortunes. Discover the wealthiest football players in 2025! Explore the top 10 wealthiest football players, their net worth, salaries, endorsements, and luxury lifestyles.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo – $500 Million Plus
Overview
If ever there was a name to be added to a list of the greatest footballers, Cristiano Ronaldo comes at the very least at the top. He is a name that goes beyond the field of play; it is a name that stands for an empire. He currently plays for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League but has also dazzled in the past as a player for Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus.
Earnings & Endorsements
Annual Salary: Over $200 million with Al-Nassr
Endorsements: Nike (lifetime deal worth over $1 billion), Herbalife, Clear, CR7 brand (clothing, perfumes, hotels, gyms)
Investments: CR7 hotels, fitness businesses, and a luxury lifestyle brand
Wealth Impact
Together with sponsorships, his salary and various business ventures, being called the highest-paid footballer on earth appears to sit very well with Ronaldo. Even his social media influence adds to his earnings as the most-followed athlete on Instagram.
2. Lionel Messi – $450 million+
Overview
Lionel Messi, arguably Cristiano Ronaldo’s greatest rival, spent a glorious career at Barcelona, PSG, and is presently playing at Inter-Miami in the MLS.
Earnings & Endorsements
Annual Salary: The approximate $50 million from Inter-Miami, excluding bonuses.
Endorsements: Adidas (lifetime deal), Pepsi, Budweiser, Mastercard.
Investments: Messi brand clothing, real estate investments, and ownership stakes in Miami ventures.
Wealth Impact
Brand partnerships, with lucrative contracts in Europe and the U.S.A., have kept Messi in the billion-dollar league.
3. David Beckham – $450 million+
Overview
Though retired, David Beckham remains one of the wealthiest footballers due to his business acumen and endorsements. The former England captain played for Manchester United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan, and PSG.
Earnings & Endorsements
Post-retirement earnings: Estimated $50 million-plus annually from endorsements and business ventures.
Endorsements: Adidas, Haig Club Whisky, Tudor, and H&M.
Investments: Co-owner of Inter Miami CF, multiple real estate ventures.
Wealth Impact
Beckham’s involvement in MLS and major endorsements keep him financially dominant even after retiring from professional football.
4. Kylian Mbappé – The Man of $180 Million or More
Overview
Kylian Mbappé, the French superstar of the hour, is among the highest-paid footballers in the business at present, playing for both Paris Saint-Germain and the French national football team.
Earnings & Endorsements
Annual Salary: Around USD 100 million with PSG
Endorsements: Nike, Hublot, Oakley, EA Sports(the FIFA cover star).
Investments: Real estate and tech startups.
Wealth Impact
Having already been said to be one of football’s future legends, Mbappé will thus continue to develop a fortune by promising marketability in the playing career.
5. Neymar Jr. – $200 Million+
Overview
Brazilian superstar Neymar Jr. played for Barcelona, PSG, and Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia. The glamourous lifestyle he leads does not fall short of his hefty paychecks from football contracts and endorsements.
Earnings & Endorsements
Annual Salary: Roughly Estimated $100 million with Al-Hilal
Endorsements: Puma, Red Bull, Qatar Airways, Beats by Dre
Investments: Esports and real estate
Wealth Impact
Neymar is one of the most marketable athletes on the planet, and his move to Saudi Arabia only helps add to this financial pile.
6. Zlatan Ibrahimović – Over $190 Million
Overview
Of these greats, Swedish legend Zlatan Ibrahimović recently retired from professional football. He played for AC Milan, Manchester United, Barcelona, and PSG.
Earnings & Endorsements
Annual Salary: More than US $150 million.
Endorsements: Nike, Volvo, Nivea, Microsoft Xbox.
Investments: Ownership in Swedish club Hammarby IF, sports nutrition brands, books, and fashion.
Wealth Impact
Ibrahimović’s career longevity and his business ventures have given him a lot of wealth.
7. Gareth Bale- $145 Million Plus
Overview
Gareth Bale, a Welsh winger who is now retired, conditioned his game with Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid.
Earnings And Endorsements
Annual Salary: Above $140 million
Endorsements: Adidas, BT Sport, Nissan, EA Sports
Investments: Golf ventures, Real Estate, Esports
Wealth Impact
Bale’s post-retirement wealth relies largely on investments in such areas as golf and real estate.
8. Paul Pogba – $130 Million+
Overview
Formerly wristband-wearing pure-bred midfielder Paul Pogba had played for Manchester United and Juventus but ended up becoming one of the most highly paid midfielders in the planet.
Earnings and Endorsements
Annual Salary: Approximately $15 million from Juventus
Endorsement: Adidas, Pepsi, Amazon Prime
Investment: E-sports and Crypto ventures
Wealth Impact
Despite being down enough due to injuries, Pogba is still financially safe thanks to endorsement deals and smart investments.
9. Mohamed Salah – $120 Million+
Overview
With all the excellence that Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah has brought to Liverpool, among the best-paid in the English Premier League, he is definitely above board.
Earnings & Endorsements
Annual Salary: About $20 million
Endorsements: Adidas, Vodafone Egypt, Pepsi, Oppo
Investments: Charity, football academies, real estate
Wealth Impact
Salah’s presence on the field and his giving continues to increase his market value and wealth.
10. Eden Hazard – $100 Million+
Overview
Like his namesake trailing through the Real Madrid recording, the Belgian winger the last spelled, Eden Hazard, retired in 2023 but found himself wealthy from past earnings and sponsorships.
Earnings & Endorsements
Annual Salary: Above that, more than $100 million
Endorsement: Nike and Topps, Lotus Bakeries
Investments: real estate; Belgian football projects
Wealth Impact
Though retired, Hazard’s financial portfolio keeps him within the closest circles of the world’s wealthiest footballers.
Conclusion
Check out the top 10 wealthiest football players, their earnings, brand deals, and how they built their fortune. Today, footballers make vast amounts of money from contracts, endorsements, and businesses and investments. While it is players like Ronaldo and Messi who hold center stage in net worth, up-and-coming names like Mbappé and Neymar are quickly becoming their equals. The growth of this sport is limitless and will only continue to facilitate the expansion of such fortunes even further.
