Top 20 Richest Footballers in the World 2025
Richest footballers in the world 2025: Football is known to be a high-earning game. Most football stars make a lot when it comes to trading their talents in the game of soccer. One fascinating fact about the richest footballers in the world is that it does not necessarily mean the highest-earning footballer is the richest […]
Richest footballers in the world 2025: Football is known to be a high-earning game. Most football stars make a lot when it comes to trading their talents in the game of soccer. One fascinating fact about the richest footballers in the world is that it does not necessarily mean the highest-earning footballer is the richest footballer in the world. Take a look at the top 10 richest footballers and their net worth.
Association football is the most-watched sport in the world. This makes players of football the rank among the top-earning athletes in the world
Cristiano Ronaldo, who is the most followed celebrity on Instagram, has also earned over $1 billion as a footballer.
The list of the top 20 richest footballers in the world has a combined net worth of over $50 billion.
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Top 20 Richest Footballers in the world 2025
- Faiq Bolkiah – $20 billion
- Cristiano Ronaldo – $800 million
- Lionel Messi – $650 million
- David Beckham – $450 million
- Neymar jr – $400 million
- Dave Whelan – $ 300 million
- Wayne Rooney – $250 million
- Karim Benzema – $200 million
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic -$190 million
- Kylian Mbappe – $ 180 million
- Ronaldo Nazario – $160 million
- Gareth Bale – $150 million
- Paul Pogba – $140 million
- Thierry Henry – $130 million
- Andreas Iniesta – $120 million
- Mesut Ozil – $120 million
- Eden Hazard – $110 million
- Mo Salah – $100 million
- Antoine Griezmann – $95 million
- Samuel Eto’o – $95 million
Read through the list of the wealthiest footballers in the world, and let us know what you think in the comments section
Faiq Bolkiah – $20 billion
Full Name: Faiq Jefri Bolkiah
Date of birth: 9 May 1998
Place of birth: Los Angeles, California, United States
Current team: Ratchaburi in Thai League 1
Position: Midfielder
Faiq Bolkiah’s earnings from football are relatively small compared to his family’s immense wealth. He reportedly earns around $2,900 per month from his club in the Thai League. However, his actual net worth is estimated at $20 billion, primarily due to his royal lineage within the Bruneian royal family.
His football earnings are considered a symbolic income compared to the $28 billion asset pool of his family, which includes real estate, energy, and financial services
Cristiano Ronaldo – $800 million
Full Name: Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro
Date of birth: 5 February 1985
Place of birth: Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
Current team: Al-Nassr
Position: forward
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a forward for and captains both Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr and the Portugal national team
Cristiano Ronaldo earned a reported $260 million, making him the highest-paid athlete globally, according to Sportico. This income primarily comes from his football career with Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia and through endorsements
Ronaldo earned $215 million from his salary and winnings at Al-Nassr and with the Portuguese national team. He earned $45 million from off-the-field endorsements.
Lionel Messi – $650 million
Full Name: Lionel Andrés Messi
Date of birth: 24 June 1987
Place of birth: Rosario, Argentina
Current team: Major League Soccer club Inter Miami
Position: forward
Lionel Andrés “Leo” Messi is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for and captains both Major League Soccer club Inter Miami and the Argentina national team.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, Messi set numerous records for individual accolades won throughout his professional footballing career such as eight Ballon d’Or awards and eight times being named the world’s best player by FIFA
Lionel Messi’s earnings from football are substantial, both on and off the field. His guaranteed compensation at Inter Miami is $20.4 million per year.
However, his total earnings, including a cut from the MLS’s Apple TV deal, are estimated to be between $50 million and $60 million annually. This includes his salary and bonuses, as well as revenue from endorsements and other commercial agreements.
David Beckham – $450 million
Full Name: David Robert Joseph Beckham
Date of birth: 2 May 1975
Place of birth: London, England
Current team: retired.
Position: Forward
David Robert Joseph Beckham is an English former professional footballer, the president and co-owner of Inter Miami CF and co-owner of Salford City.
Primarily a right winger and known for his range of passing, crossing ability and free-kick taking, Beckham is considered one of the best players of his generation, one of the greatest players in Premier League history and one of the best free-kick takers of all time
David Beckham’s annual earnings are estimated to be in the range of $40 million to $60 million. His wealth is primarily derived from his football career, endorsements, and various business ventures
Neymar jr – $400 million
Full Name: Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior
Date of birth: 5 February 1992
Place of birth: Mogi das Cruzes, State of São Paulo, Brazil
Current team: Campeonato Brasileiro Série A team Santos
Position: Forward
Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, also known as Neymar Júnior or simply Neymar, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a left winger, attacking midfielder or forward for Campeonato Brasileiro Série A team Santos, whom he captains, and the Brazil national team
Neymar Jr.’s earnings are substantial, driven by his high salary at Al-Hilal and various endorsements and business ventures. His annual income from Al-Hilal alone is reportedly around €100 million, with additional earnings from sponsorships and investments further boosting his financial standing
Dave Whelan – $ 300 million
Full Name: David Whelan
Date of birth: 24 November 1936
Place of birth: Bradford, England
Current team: retired
Position: Forward
David Whelan is an English businessman and former footballer. During his football career, he played for Blackburn Rovers and Crewe Alexandra. Whelan is the former owner of club Wigan Athletic, having also been the chairman of the club for twenty years, before passing the position over to his grandson, David Sharpe, who eventually passed the ownership over to International Entertainment Corporation
Wayne Rooney – $250 million
Full Name: Wayne Mark Rooney
Date of birth: 24 October 1985
Place of birth: Liverpool, England
Current team: Retired
Position: Forward
Wayne Mark Rooney is an English professional football manager and former player who was most recently the head coach of EFL Championship club Plymouth Argyle. Widely considered one of the best players of his generation and one of the greatest British players of all time, Rooney is the record goalscorer for Manchester United
Wayne Rooney’s net worth is estimated at around $250 million. This figure is based on his career earnings, including his time as a player and potentially other ventures like coaching.
Karim Benzema – $200 million
Full Name: Karim Mostafa Benzema
Date of birth: 19 December 1987
Place of birth: Lyon, France
Current team: Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad
Position: Forward
Karim Mostafa Benzema is a French professional footballer who plays as a striker for and captains Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad. Regarded as one of the greatest strikers of all time, Benzema is a creative forward known for his technical skills, vision and versatility on the field.
Karim Benzema’s annual salary at Al Ittihad is estimated to be around €100 million. This translates to approximately £83 million or $108 million. He is one of the highest-paid players in the Saudi Pro League, potentially even the highest
Zlatan Ibrahimovic -$190 million
Full Name: Zlatan Ibrahimović
Date of birth: 3 October 1981
Place of birth: Malmö, Sweden
Current team: Retired
Position: Forward
Zlatan Ibrahimović is a Swedish former professional footballer who played as a striker. Ibrahimović is known for his acrobatic strikes and volleys, technique, ball control, and physical dominance. He is regarded as one of the greatest strikers of all time and is one of the most decorated footballers in the world, having won 34 trophies in his career
Kylian Mbappe – $ 180 million
Full Name: Kylian Mbappé Lottin
Date of birth: 20 December 1998
Place of birth: Paris, France
Current team: Real Madrid
Position: Forward
Kylian Mbappé Lottin is a French professional footballer who plays as a forward for La Liga club Real Madrid and captains the France national team. Regarded as one of the best players in the world, he is known for his dribbling, finishing, and speed.
Kylian Mbappe’s earnings at Real Madrid are substantial. He earns just under £500,000 (approximately $629,000) per week, translating to over £25 million (around $32 million) annually. This makes him the highest-paid player at the club
Ronaldo Nazario – $160 million
Full Name: Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima
Date of birth: 18 September 1976
Place of birth: Itaguaí, Brazil
Current team: Retired
Position: Forward
Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima born 18 September 1976 mononymously known as Ronaldo, is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a striker. He is the owner and president of La Liga club Real Valladolid
R9, he is considered one of the greatest players of all time. As a multi-functional striker who brought a new dimension to the position, Ronaldo has been an influence for a generation of strikers that have followed. His individual accolades include being named FIFA World Player of the Year three times and winning two Ballon d’Or awards.
Gareth Bale – $150 million
Full Name: Gareth Frank Bale
Date of birth: 16 July 1989
Place of birth: Cardiff, Wales
Current team: Retired
Position: Forward
Gareth Frank Bale is a Welsh former professional footballer who played as a right winger, most notably for Tottenham Hotspur, Real Madrid, and the Wales national team.
He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation and the greatest Welsh player of all time. Bale was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2022 Birthday Honours for his contributions to association football and various charities.
Gareth Bale’s earnings have varied throughout his career, with his highest reported annual salary reaching €36.4 million in 2020-2021 while at Tottenham Hotspur. His time at Real Madrid also yielded substantial earnings, with weekly salaries ranging from €514,288 to €701,275.
He has also accumulated significant wealth through endorsements and other business ventures, contributing to a net worth estimated at around £115.3 million (approximately $145 million)
Paul Pogba – $140 million
Full Name: Paul Labile Pogba
Date of birth: 15 March 1993
Place of birth: Lagny-sur-Marne, France
Current team: Free Agent
Position: Forward
Paul Pogba‘s earnings have significantly dropped due to a doping ban and a subsequent contract termination with Juventus. While he previously earned around €9 million per year at Juventus and $28 million annually at Manchester United, his current earnings are significantly lower.
At Juventus, his salary was reduced to a minimum of €2,000 per month after his doping test. Following the doping ban, his contract was terminated by mutual consent, and he became a free agent.
Thierry Henry – $130 million
Full Name: Thierry Daniel Henry
Date of birth: 17 August 1977
Place of birth: Les Ulis, France
Current team: Retired
Position: Forward
Thierry Daniel Henry is a French professional football coach, pundit, sports broadcaster and former player. He is considered one of the greatest strikers of all time, and one of the greatest players in Premier League history.
He has been named by Arsenal as the club’s greatest ever player.[5] Henry was runner-up for both the Ballon d’Or in 2003 and the FIFA World Player of the Year in 2003 and 2004.
He was named the FWA Footballer of the Year a record three times, the PFA Players’ Player of the Year a joint-record two times, and was named in the PFA Team of the Year six consecutive times. He was also included in the FIFA FIFPro World XI once and the UEFA Team of the Year five times.
Andreas Iniesta – $120 million
Full Name: Andrés Iniesta Luján
Date of birth: 11 May 1984
Place of birth: Fuentealbilla, Spain
Current team: Retired
Position: Forward
Andrés Iniesta Luján is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. Widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of all time, he was lauded for his balance, ball control and agility in close spaces, combined with his skill, composure, and flair on the ball.
Iniesta spent most of his career at Barcelona, where he played a major role in the club’s success along with his midfield partners Xavi and Sergio Busquets.
Andrés Iniesta’s estimated net worth is around $120 million. His career income is more than $220 million, with his time at Barcelona and his contract with Vissel Kobe significantly contributing to his wealth. He also earns income from endorsements, including brands like ASICS and his own sportswear brand, Mikakus, Forbes reported.
Mesut Ozil – $120 million
Full Name: Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior
Date of birth: 5 February 1992
Place of birth: Mogi das Cruzes, State of São Paulo, Brazil
Current team: Campeonato Brasileiro Série A team Santos
Position: Forward
Mesut Özil is a German former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder. Known for his ball control, technical skills, creativity, passing skills, and vision, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders and playmakers of his generation.
He could also play as a wide midfielder.
Eden Hazard – $110 million
Full Name: Eden Michael Walter Hazard
Date of birth: 7 January 1991
Place of birth: La Louvière, Belgium
Current team: Retired
Position: Forward
Eden Michael Walter Hazard is a Belgian former professional footballer who played as a winger or attacking midfielder for Lille, Chelsea, Real Madrid, and the Belgium national team. Known for his dribbling and creativity, throughout his career, he was regarded as one of the best players of his generation.
Mo Salah – $100 million
Full Name: Mohamed Salah Hamed Mahrous Ghaly
Date of birth: 15 June 1992
Place of birth: Nagrig, Basyoun, Egypt
Current team: Liverpool
Position: Forward
Mohamed Salah’s annual earnings, including his Liverpool salary and endorsements, are estimated to be around £25 million per season or £480,000 per week. He is one of the highest-paid players in the Premier League, and his earnings have been a significant factor in his overall net worth
Mohamed Salah Hamed Mahrous Ghaly known as Mohamed Salah or Mo Salah, is an Egyptian professional footballer who plays as a right winger or forward for Liverpool and captains the Egypt national team.
Widely regarded as one of the best players of his generation, one of the greatest African players of all time, and one of the greatest wingers in the history of the sport, he is known for his clinical finishing, dribbling, speed, and playmaking abilities
Antoine Griezmann – $95 million
Full Name: Antoine Griezmann
Date of birth: 21 March 1991
Place of birth: Mâcon, France
Current team: Atlético Madrid
Position: Forward
Antoine Griezmann is a French professional footballer who plays as a forward or attacking midfielder for La Liga club Atlético Madrid. Considered one of the greatest players of his generation, he is known for his versatility, match intelligence, attacking output, and off-ball attributes
Samuel Eto’o – $95 million
Full Name: Samuel Eto’o Fils
Date of birth: 10 March 1981
Place of birth: Douala, Cameroon
Current team: Retired
Position: Forward
Samuel Eto’o Fils is a Cameroonian football administrator and former player who is the current president of the Cameroonian Football Federation. He is often regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation, one of the greatest strikers of all time and one of the greatest African players of all time
Top 20 Richest Footballers in the world 2025
From the list, we can deduce that almost all the richest footballers are player who play as forwards or strikers.
This is due to the combination of factors, including their high demand, significant impact on team success, and the ability to generate revenue for clubs. Their crucial role in scoring goals, which translates to points and potentially trophies, makes them highly valuable and sought after, leading to higher salaries and endorsements.
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