Who Is The Richest Soccer Player In The World In 2024?

Soccer is the most popular sport globally, with millions of followers. Therefore, it is not difficult to understand when soccer players receive incredibly high salaries. The salary of a professional football player is enough to make us admire.

So, who is the richest soccer player in 2024? According to Forbes, Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo is the highest-paid football player in the world, with a total of $125 million earned from his salary and endorsement deals.

The 36-year-old icon has surpassed other stars in the top 10 list like Messi or Neymar. Combined, all players on the list could earn $585 million before taxes.

Are you curious about them? Let’s explore with Scott Fujita.

The Richest Soccer Player: Top 10 List

Soccer is a very lucrative sport worldwide in the modern era. It is also considered one of the most-watched sports nowadays thanks to many players and followers. So it’s not surprising when looking at the enormous salaries of football players below.

View more: Who is the best soccer player in the world

If you are wondering about the top 10 richest soccer players in the world, please continue reading below.

#1. Cristiano Ronaldo – US$125 million

Cristiano Ronaldo 

• Team: Manchester United and Portugal.
• Age: 36.
• Salary: US$70 million.
• Endorsements: US$55 million.

Cristiano Ronaldo ended last season with Juventus as Serie A’s top scorer and won the European Championship’s best player award. Shortly after, Manchester United announced that he would return to Old Trafford.

In his 18-year career, Ronaldo has won 32 championship titles: five UEFA Champions League titles and the UEFA European Championship for his native Portugal.

Ronaldo is also the first to win the title in England, Spain, and Italy. The 36-year-old star is also the all-time greatest international goal scorer, with his 110th goal in September this year.

To learn more about Ronaldo’s highlights in 2024, please watch this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGfyAbUOOfY

#2. Lionel Messi – US$110 million

• Team: Paris Saint-Germain and Argentina.
• Age: 34.
• Salary: US$75 million.
• Endorsements: US$35 million.

Barcelona has decided to terminate Messi’s contract because of economic obstacles. Sadly, that is also the end of a club’s splendor. In his 21-year football career, he has scored 672 goals and has 268 assists.

Lionel Messi is also the owner of seven Ballon d’Or trophies and player of the year over the past two seasons.

His new salary at PSG is a cut from what he received while at Barca but still enough to make Messi the highest-paid soccer player on the pitch.

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#3. Neymar – US$95 million

Neymar Jr 

• Team: Paris Saint-Germain and Brazil.
• Age: 29.
• Salary: US$75 million.
• Endorsements: US$20 million.

Despite being young, Brazilian midfielder Neymar Jr is already the third richest professional footballer in the world with an income of $95 million. Currently, he plays as a winger for French champions Paris-Saint Germain and is one of the most versatile players.

After just transferring to the club, the 29-year-old helped them reach the Champions League final for the first time. In May this year, Neymar signed a four-year contract extension to stay in France until 2025.

Neymar Jr has numerous endorsement deals such as Air Jordan, L’Oreal, Panasonic, and Gillette. After leaving his longtime contract with partner Nike due to many violent scandals, he signed with Puma.

He has also won many individual awards, including World Football’s Best Young Player, FIFA Puskás Award, FIFA Club World Cup Bronze Ball, and more.

#4. Kylian Mbappe – US$43 million

• Team: Paris Saint-Germain and France.
• Age: 22.
• Salary: US$28 million.
• Endorsements: US$15 million.

Perhaps it’s time for Kylian Mbappe to find a new space and challenge himself.

He turned down PSG’s contract extension until 2024 this past spring. The 22-year-old will have his final season with club PSG, despite efforts to sign Messi to hold onto the Golden Boot winner.

At his age, Mbappe has scored more goals and earned more money than Messi and Ronaldo at the time. Probably because brands recognized his potential early on, in 2024, Mbappe will continue to be the cover representative for FIFA 22 (EA Sports).

#5. Mohamed Salah – US$41 million

Mohamed Salah 

• Team: Liverpool and Egypt.
• Age: 29.
• Salary: US$25 million.
• Endorsements: US$16 million.

Liverpool will have to try a lot to keep the 29-year-old star striker with only two years left on his contract. Since joining Roma in Italy in 2017, Mohamed Salah has proven himself to be one of the Premier League’s top goalscorers.

This player also holds the record to reach 100 goals in Premier League history for the shortest time. Salah is also a symbol for the Muslim athletes in the tournament. He brings a positive influence and reduces unnecessary hatred and racism.

#6. Robert Lewandowski – US$35 million

• Team: Bayern Munich and Poland.
• Age: 33.
• Salary: US$27 million.
• Endorsements: US$8 million.

Robert Lewandowski is in excellent form in his soccer career. Although his contract will end in 2024, many rumors suggest it will be extended in the future.

Lewandowski is also the only Bundesliga player to have scored in 13 consecutive home games. February was the last time that he failed to achieve a goal.

Off the pitch, Lewandowski has launched his own clothing brand RL9. He also owns endorsement deals with brands like Head & Shoulders, Nike, and Huawei.

#7. Andres Iniesta – US$35 million

Andres Iniesta 

• Team: Vissel Kobe and Spain.
• Age: 37.
• Salary: US$31 million.
• Endorsements: US$4 million.

Andres Iniesta was once one of the best midfielders in the world for Barcelona and the Spain national team. In 131 appearances for his homeland, he has scored 13 goals.

Currently, Iniesta is playing for Japanese club Vissel Kobe. His weekly salary is worth more than $600,000, raising his net worth to be on the list of the richest soccer players in the world in 2024.

Iniesta’s sponsorship deals are also fantastic, including Nike, Nissan, and NFX.com. He also has the highest stake of $400,000 in a Spanish football club, Albacete Football Club.

#8. Paul Pogba – US$34 million

• Team: Manchester United and France.
• Age: 28.
• Salary: US$27 million.
• Endorsements: US$7 million.

Ten months ago, Paul Pogba’s future at Manchester United was uncertain. But since the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo and France international team-mate Raphael Varane, reports suggest he is leaning towards signing a contract extension.

The 28-year-old has a 10-year shoe contract with Adidas worth about $45 million.

#9. Gareth Bale – US$32 million

Gareth Bale 

• Team: Real Madrid and Wales.
• Age: 32.
• Salary: US$26 million.
• Endorsements: US$6 million.

Gareth Bale currently plays for La Liga club Real Madrid and is also a winger for the Wales national team.

Bale is known for his speed, left foot, and impressive fitness. He was named PFA Player of the Year, and in 2011 he was awarded the UEFA Team of the Year title.

#10. Eden Hazard – US$29 million

• Team: Real Madrid and Belgium.
• Age: 30.
• Salary: US$26 million.
• Endorsements: US$3 million.

Eden Hazard is a Belgian professional footballer who started his football career at four. He spent eight years with the Royal Stade Brainois team and then moved to Tubize.

Frequently Asked Questions

To learn more about the richest soccer players, read on below.

Faiq Bolkiah 

Who Is The Richest Soccer Player In 2020?

Faiq Bolkiah is the lead player in the list of the richest footballers in 2020, with a total net worth of $20 Billion. Faiq became the wealthiest player in the world because of his royal roots.

Is Neymar A Billionaire?

According to Forbes, Neymar’s net worth reaches $ 95 million in 2024, a significant number, but still considerably behind Ronaldo and Messi.

What Is The Top 10 Of The Richest Soccer Players Ranked By Net Worth?

If sorted by net worth, the list of the richest soccer players in the world will have the following change:

• Cristiano Ronaldo – Net Worth $450 Million
• David Beckham – Net Worth $450 Million.
• Lionel Messi – Net Worth $400 Million.
• Dave Whelan – Net Worth $220 Million.
• Alexandre Pato – Net Worth $145 Million.
• Wayne Rooney – Net Worth $145 Million.
• Gareth Bale – Net Worth $125 Million.
• Francesco Totti – Net Worth $101.6 Million.
• Pele – Net Worth $100 Million.
• Eden Hazard – Net Worth $100 Million.

Final Thoughts

Who is the richest soccer player of all time? Cristiano Ronaldo is the richest player in the world at the moment.

The salaries of many footballers can be overwhelming, but that’s completely understandable. They are giving their talents on the pitch and winning new titles in their careers. Watching them ascend and conquer new heights also brings joy and satisfaction to many fans.