Top 10 richest footballers in the world

By Oluwaseyifunmi Awobiyi

Portuguese shot icon Cristiano Ronaldo has made past arsenic the archetypal footballer to scope billionaire status, boasting an estimated nett worthy of $1.4 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

This milestone follows his two-year declaration hold with Al Nassr, reportedly worthy implicit $400 million, including equity and show bonuses. It marks 1 of the astir lucrative subordinate contracts successful shot history.

Beyond his on-pitch excellence, Ronaldo has built a immense empire disconnected the field, with long-standing endorsements and palmy concern ventures successful hospitality, fashion, and fragrance done his CR7 brand.

For years, Ronaldo and longtime rival Lionel Messi person been intimately matched successful some trophies and income, but Ronaldo’s caller moves, peculiarly to Saudi Arabia, person taken his net to different level.

But he’s not the lone footballer with a luck built connected talent, branding, and astute investments.

Here’s a look astatine the apical 10 richest footballers successful the satellite for 2025:

1. Cristiano Ronaldo – $1.4 billion

The Portuguese fable tops the database arsenic football’s archetypal billionaire. In summation to a monolithic declaration astatine Al Nassr, Ronaldo’s wealthiness is driven by the CR7 brand, planetary endorsements, hotels, gyms, and manner lines.

2. Lionel Messi – $850 million

Messi has combined shot greatness with high-value partnerships. His deals with Adidas, Pepsi, and Louis Vuitton, on with astute investments successful existent property and tech.

3. David Beckham – $500 million

Retired but inactive thriving, Beckham’s income present stems from marque endorsements and co-owning Inter Miami CF. He has semipermanent partnerships with brands similar Adidas, H&M, and Haig Club whiskey.

4. Neymar Jr. – $350 million

Neymar’s monolithic salaries astatine PSG and Al Hilal, combined with sponsorships from Puma and Red Bull, person helped the Brazilian prima ascent the affluent database rapidly.

5. Kylian Mbappé – $250 – 300 million

Mbappé is among the highest-paid players today, particularly aft his determination to Real Madrid. With endorsements from Nike, Hublot, and EA Sports, his luck continues to turn steeply.

6. Wayne Rooney – $216 million

Wayne Rooney acquired astir of his wealthiness during his Premier League and MLS days. Post-retirement, Rooney has remained progressive arsenic a manager and media personality.

7. Karim Benzema – $200 million

Following a legendary tally astatine Real Madrid, Benzema’s determination to Al-Ittihad successful Saudi Arabia importantly accrued his wealth. He besides benefits from sponsorships and backstage investments.

8. Zlatan Ibrahimović – $190 million

Zlatan’s charisma and marque powerfulness matched his shot skills. Over 2 decades successful apical leagues and sponsorships from Nike, Volvo, and others contributed to his immense wealth.

9. Ronaldo Nazário (R9) – $160 million

The Brazilian icon made his wealth from elite contracts successful the ’90s and 2000s, arsenic good arsenic endorsement deals. Today, helium owns stakes successful clubs similar Real Valladolid and Cruzeiro.

10. Gareth Bale – $145 million

Bale earned a luck from his clip astatine Real Madrid, on with deals from Adidas and EA Sports. Since retirement, helium has ventured into golf-related businesses and spot investment.

The station Top 10 richest footballers successful the world appeared archetypal connected Vanguard News.