Top 13 Richest Footballers in the World 2024: Net Worth, Salary, Career Highlights
Top 13 Richest Footballers in the World 2024
In addition to being the most popular sport in the world, football also supports a multibillion dollar economy because to player contracts, large sponsorships, and worldwide fan participation. The wealth of professional football players is evidence of the sport’s potential and global appeal.
According to a recent survey, football star Faiq Bolkiah is the richest player in the world. Argentina’s legendary Lionel Messi comes in second on the list, followed by Portugal’s superstar Cristiano Ronaldo in third place.
A football player’s fortune is influenced by a number of things, such as investments, endorsements, bonuses, and pay. Some of the wealthiest football players in the world make additional money from other ventures or as business owners.
Sl. No | NAME | NET WORTH | TEAM |
1. | Faiq Bolkiah | $20 billion | Chonburi F.C., Thailand |
2. | Lionel Messi | $600 million | Paris Saint-German |
3. | Cristiano Ronaldo | $500 million | Al 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-German |
7. | Zlatan Ibrahimovic | $190 million | Serie A Club AC Milan |
8. | Kylian Mbappe | $180 million | Ligue 1 Club Paris- Saint German |
9. | Wayne Rooney | $170 million | D.C. United |
10. | Ronaldo Luis Nazario | $160 million | Real Madrid |
11. | Alexandro Pato | $145 million | Sao Paulo FC |
12. | Gareth Bale | $145 million | LAFC |
13 | Paul Pogba | $127 million | Serie A |
Here is a thorough look at the top 13 football players in the world for 2024, highlighting their wages, net worth, and career accomplishments based on recent polls.
1. Faiq Bolkiah [$20 billion]
Net Worth: $20 billion
Team: Chonburi F.C., Thailand
Records: Richest football player in the world
The title of Prince of the Kingdom of Brunei is attributed to Faiq Bolkiah. Bolkiah’s uncle is Bruneian Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. The Prince of Brunei, Jefri Bolkiah, is his father. The title of Prince of the Kingdom of Brunei is attributed to Faiq Bolkiah.
Bolkiah’s uncle is Bruneian Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. The Prince of Brunei, Jefri Bolkiah, is his father. Bolkiah’s large net worth is mostly the result of his wealth and royal pedigree, as further proven by the fact that he plays football for just $1,000 a week. Faiq Bolkiah now plays midfield for the Portuguese team Maritimo.
Faiq Bolkiah is the richest football player in the world, with a $20 billion net worth, primarily because of his royal ancestry. He has led the Brunei national team as captain since 2018. He has earned caps for the team since 2014.
2. Lionel Messi [$600 million]
Team: Paris Saint-German (PSG)
Net Worth: $600 million
Records: Most Balloon D’Or Award (8), Most La Liga Goals (474), Record Six European Golden Shoes and many more.
Awards: FIFA Balloon D’Or, World Soccer Player of the Year etc.
Books: The “GOAT” Messi and so many
Movie: Lionel Messi: The Greatest
Popular football star Lionel Messi is the second richest football player with an incredible net worth of $600 million. Because of his incredible on-field performance, he is well-known. Messi is a forward for Paris Saint-Germain and an Argentinean professional football player. He also serves as captain of the Argentina national team. With his on-field accomplishments, Messi has solidified his position in football history, and other great players have often expressed their admiration for him.
He holds the record with eight Ballon d’Or victories. He is the player who has received the coveted trophy the most times out of all of them. In 2020, he was included in the Ballon d’Or Dream Team, and he has also won six European Golden Shoes.
3. Cristiano Ronaldo [$500 million]
Team: Al Nassar
Net worth: $500 million
Records: Highest no of Goal Scorer in Football and etc.
Awards: European Golden shoe (4), Balloon D’Or Award (5)
Books: Cristiano Ronaldo: The Rise of a Winner
Movie: Cristiano Ronaldo: The World at its Feet
Portuguese football player Cristiano Ronaldo heads the Portuguese national team and plays forward for AI Nassar in Saudi Arabia. He is the third-richest football player in the world with a $500 million net worth.
With five Ballon d’Or victories, Ronaldo has more than any other player from Europe. He is regularly paired with another football legend, Lionel Messi, during games, and their achievements and skills are regularly contrasted, resulting in a professional rivalry. Ronaldo is the all-time leading goal scorer in international football history with the most goals scored.
4. David Beckham [$450 million]
Net Worth: $450 million
Team: Manchester United
Records: Only player to win League titles in 4 Countries, Six Premiere League titles and so many.
Awards: BBC Sports Personality of the Year, Premier League Player of the Month, and other accolades
Books: Beckham: My world
Movie: King Arthur, The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
A professional football player, David Beckham specialized in offensive midfield play. He was one of the most well-liked athletes in the world and is regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation.
Beckham was a player for AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Manchester United, and the LA Galaxy. Six Premier League wins, one La Liga title, and one MLS Cup were among his 19 major trophy victories. Football player Beckham announced his retirement in 2013. His $450 million net worth now places him as the fourth richest football player.
5. Dave Whelan [$210 million]
Net Worth: $210 million
Team: Blackburn Rovers and Crewe Alexandra
Awards: Freedom of the Borough
Dave Whelan was a former English football player and businessman. He was born in 1936 and played as a winger. He played football for Blackburn Rovers and Crewe Alexandra. His 1959–60 Football League Third Division North championship with Blackburn Rovers is one of his achievements.
Whelan formed the Wigan Athletic football club and went on to become successful in business after quitting professional football in 1966. After 20 years as its chairman and owner, he gave his grandson ownership, which International Entertainment Corporation later acquired. Right now, he has a net worth of $210 million.
6. Neymar Jr. [$200 million]
Net Worth: $200 million
Team: Paris Saint-German (PSG)
Records: The youngest player to ever earn 100 caps for Brazil, Santos’ all-time top scorer etc.
Awards: Player of the Year, FIFA Puskas, Ballon d’Or etc.
Books: Neymar: My Story: Conversations with My Father
Movie: Neymar: The Perfect Chaos
Brazilian professional football player Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, also called Neymar Jr. or just Neymar, plays forward for both the Brazil national team and Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain.
Along with three Copa del Rey trophies, he earned two La Liga crowns and, in 2015, a UEFA Champions League with Barcelona. In 2016 and 2019, he assisted Brazil in winning the Olympic gold medal and the Copa América.
7. Zlatan Ibrahimovic [$190 million]
Net Worth: $190 million
Team: Serie A Club AC Milan
Records: The greatest striker of all time, the oldest player to score in Serie A history etc.
Awards: FIFA Puskas, Golden Foot, ESPY Award for Best MLS Player, Serie A Player of the Year, and numerous other awards.
Books: I Am Zlatan Ibrahimović (autobiography)
Movie: Asterix & Obelix: The Middle Kingdom (Cameo)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a retired Swedish football player who played forward for the Italian team AC Milan. He is also the sixth richest football player in the world. He is renowned for having extraordinary skill, ball control, and technique. He is his country’s all-time leading goal scorer with 62 goals. Over 560 goals have been scored by him in his career.
Zlatan has won 33 trophies in his career, including eleven league titles, five UEFA Champions League championships, and one FIFA Club World Cup. In the years 2002–2006, 2010–2012, and 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying, he supported Sweden.
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 etc.
Awards: FIFA World Cup Golden Boot, Golden Boy, Kopa Trophy etc.
Books: Kylian Mbappe: World Soccer Star and more
Kylian Mbappe, a talented young forward for Paris Saint-Germain and the French national team, is a French striker. His speed and goal-scoring prowess make him a dangerous forward to beware of.
Even though his career is young, he has already garnered a great deal of recognition, winning four Ligue 1 titles, three Coupe de France titles, and two Coupe de la Ligue titles while playing for PSG. He also possesses the Golden Boot. The fans’ favorite aspects of the 2022 World Cup were his on-field rivalry with Messi and his camaraderie with fellow football player Achraf Hakimi.
In his 21 France appearances, Mbappé has scored 17 goals. Apart from being selected as the FIFA World Cup’s Best Young Player, he also helped France win the tournament.
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 etc.
Books: Wayne Rooney: My Decade in the Premier League (autobiography)
Movie: ROONEY (Netflix Series)
Former English professional football player Wayne Rooney was a striker. He is regarded as one of the greatest players in Premier League and English history.
Rooney was a versatile attacker who was well regarded for his strength, vision, and finishing touch. In addition, he demonstrated leadership by leading both Manchester United and the England national team, winning 120 caps and setting a record for England’s highest goal scorer with 53 goals, which he maintained until 2023.
With Manchester United, Rooney took home 13 trophies, which included five Premier League crowns, one FIFA Club World Cup title, and one UEFA Champions League title. 2021 marked his retirement from the NFL.
10. Ronaldo Luis Nazario [$160 million]
Net Worth: $160 million
Team: Real Madrid
Records: Highest goals in a single La Liga season, third-highest goal scorer in Brazil etc.
Awards: Serie A Foreign Footballer of the Year, FIFA World Player of the Year, World Soccer Player of the Year, European Golden Shoe etc.
Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima, better known by his stage name Ronaldo, is a retired football player from Brazil. Like Whelan, Ronaldo is a successful businessman. He’s considered one of the greatest football players of all time. Ronaldo smashed several records and accumulated vast wealth over his career. At age 21, he set the record for the youngest Ballon d’Or winner and became the most expensive player in football history. It remains the record to this day.
He has served as a UN goodwill ambassador since 2000, utilizing his position and connections to significantly and constructively address humanitarian issues.
11. Alexandre Pato | $145 million
Net Worth: $145 million
Team: São Paulo FC
Records: Youngest Goalscorer at a Senior Men’s FIFA Tournament
Awards: Serie A Young Footballer of the Year, Golden Boy, Italian Super Cup winner, and many more.
Brazilian-born football player Alexandre Pato competes in Major League Soccer for Orlando City SC as a forward. His speed, dribbling, and finishing prowess are well-known. Pato started his career at Internacional, where he was the 2006 FIFA Club World Cup winner and the Copa Libertadores.
After that, he relocated to AC Milan, where he was the 2011 Serie A champion. In addition, Pato has represented Orlando City, Tianjin Quanjian, Villarreal, Corinthians, São Paulo, and Chelsea. He has 10 goals in 27 appearances for the Brazilian national team.
13. Gareth Bale | $145million
Net Worth: $145 million
Team: LAFC
Records: Bale won 15 trophies, including three La Liga titles and five Champions Leagues
Awards: EFL Young Player of the Season, Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Player of the Year, The Football Manager Team of the Decade
Welsh-born Gareth Frank Bale OBE, who played as a winger in professional football, was born on July 16, 1989. He is considered by many to be among the greatest Welsh players of all time and among the best football players of his generation.
In 2006, Bale made his professional debut at Southampton, where he began his career. In 2007, he relocated to Tottenham Hotspur, where he developed into one of the league’s best wingers. He was voted the PFA Players’ Player of the Year in 2013 after assisting Tottenham in their 2011 run to the UEFA Champions League final.
13. Paul Pogba | $127million
Net Worth: $127 million
Team: Serie A
Records: First player to win the FIFA World Cup Best Young Player award twice, The Bravo Award etc.
Awards: EFL Young Player of the Season, Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Player of the Year, The Football Manager Team of the Decade
Paul Pogba is one of the most gifted and charismatic footballers of his generation. Known for his strength, creativity, and technical ability, Pogba has made his mark as a dynamic midfielder for both club and country.
On the international stage, Pogba’s crowning achievement came in 2018 when he played a pivotal role in France’s World Cup victory. His leadership and composure in the midfield were vital to France’s success, and he capped off the tournament with a crucial goal in the final against Croatia.
