The Richest Footballers in the World in 2024: Unveiling the Top 10

The financial success of footballers has reached unprecedented heights, with the top 16 wealthiest players in the world recently revealed. Alongside renowned superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, there is one surprise inclusion.

The substantial wages earned by these players are further boosted by lucrative sponsorship deals and brand endorsements. It is important to distinguish between being the highest-paid individual in the sport and having the largest net worth overall.

Factors beyond their on-field performances contribute to the total net worth of each player. Agents often work tirelessly to secure the most lucrative deals for their clients, with the best players typically receiving the most lucrative offers. With all these considerations in mind, Betimate provides an insight into the richest players on the planet.

10. David de Gea

Net Worth:£60 million

Despite not currently being associated with a club, David De Gea has secured a position in the top 10 of the richest players list, boasting a net worth of £60 million. The Spanish goalkeeper became a free agent after his contract with Manchester United expired at the end of the 2022/23 season. While there have been rumors of his potential return to a club, he has yet to officially sign with a new team.

De Gea is widely regarded as one of the finest goalkeepers of his generation, with few rivals surpassing his abilities in the position. Only Manuel Neuer could potentially stake a claim to being superior. Remarkably, De Gea is the sole goalkeeper among the top 16 players on the rich list mentioned here. If he were to secure a new contract, it is expected that he would command a substantial salary, further bolstering his already healthy bank balance.

9. Robert Lewandowski

Net Worth: £67 million

In 2022, Robert Lewandowski made a high-profile move from Bayern Munich to Barcelona, transitioning from being the biggest star in the Bundesliga to one of the prominent names in La Liga, a league renowned for its abundance of star players. The Polish striker currently holds the top position on the list of wealthiest players in the Spanish division, surpassing the likes of Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior.

At the age of 35, Lewandowski has enjoyed a long and illustrious career, and his durability thus far has likely contributed significantly to his net worth of £67 million. The striker's commercial value is enhanced by major endorsements from brands such as Nike, Huawei, and Proctor & Gamble, an American manufacturing company.

8. Mohamed Salah

Net Worth: £71 million

The Premier League is renowned for being one of the wealthiest leagues globally, with players at the top clubs earning astronomical salaries. Therefore, it may come as a surprise that it has taken this long to feature the first star from the division on the list.

Mohamed Salah, often considered on par with Kevin De Bruyne as the best player in England, has emerged as a significant figure in football. The Egyptian winger is arguably the most prominent African footballer of all time. Despite being 31 years old, Salah's market value remains high, with a potential mega-money move to Saudi Arabia in 2023 being speculated. Such a move could have seen him surpass his already substantial earnings at Liverpool.

Salah's popularity has resulted in numerous sponsorship deals, with brands eager to associate themselves with the winger's global appeal. Notably, he has even featured alongside Messi and other top names in advertisements for Pepsi, further solidifying his status as a global superstar.

7. Antoine Griezmann

Net Worth: £71 million

Antoine Griezmann's inclusion on the list may come as a surprise to many. The French forward has been a standout player for several years and is finally receiving the recognition he deserves as one of the world's premier forwards.

Griezmann's breakthrough came during France's Euro 2016 campaign, where he played a pivotal role in helping his nation reach the final as the host country. Although they fell short in the final, Griezmann's performances elevated his status in the football world. Despite a somewhat disappointing stint at Barcelona, which overshadowed his earlier successes, his return to Atletico Madrid has allowed him to reclaim his position as a remarkable player.

While the move to Camp Nou may not have been the best in footballing terms, it has certainly had a positive impact on Griezmann's net worth. The financial aspect of his career has flourished, despite any on-field setbacks he may have faced.

6. Paul Pogba

Net Worth: £99 million

Despite experiencing a period of relative obscurity due to his suspension from football, Paul Pogba's presence on the list remains significant. The French midfielder was once considered one of the most marketable players in the world, with numerous brands vying to associate themselves with him upon his return to Manchester United in 2016.

Pogba's transfer to Manchester United set a new record as the most expensive signing in Premier League history at the time. However, his time at the club did not live up to the high expectations placed upon him, resulting in disappointment on the pitch. Nonetheless, his off-field financial situation has remained prosperous. While his stock within the footballing world may have decreased since his underwhelming tenure at Old Trafford, he has continued to enjoy financial success.

5. Kylian Mbappe

Net Worth: £143 million

With Kylian Mbappe informing PSG about his departure at the end of the 2023/24 season, he could potentially receive a substantial signing-on fee, leading to a significant boost in his net worth based on the terms offered by his new club.

It is remarkable that Mbappe has achieved such a high position on the list at the young age of 25, underscoring his status as a superstar in the football world. As the winner of the 2018 World Cup, he has already established himself as a prominent figure in the sport. Collaborations with renowned brands like Nike and featuring on the covers of various FIFA games have further enhanced his marketability. Alongside his substantial football earnings, these factors contribute to Mbappe's inclusion among the select few individuals who have surpassed the £100 million threshold on this list.

4. Neymar

Net Worth: £198 million

While Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have dominated the footballing landscape with their exceptional talent, other players have often had to settle for being the best of the rest. Neymar, however, has firmly established himself as a contender for the title of the third-best player of the past decade, both on and off the pitch, as reflected in his net worth.

Neymar's talent places him among the greatest Brazilian players in history, a remarkable achievement considering the country's rich footballing heritage. Though he may not have reached the same level of stardom as Ronaldo and Messi, Neymar's net worth is still an impressive figure, just shy of £200 million. At 32 years old, the Brazilian is recognized not only within the footballing world but also outside it, securing numerous sponsorship deals throughout his career.

3. Cristiano Ronaldo

Net Worth: £476 million

Despite falling short of his long-term rival in terms of reported net worth, Cristiano Ronaldo's sum of £476 million is still an astronomical amount of money, surpassing the fourth-placed individual on the list by more than double. Throughout his career, Ronaldo has garnered support from numerous brands, and currently, he holds the title of the highest-paid footballer in the world.

This status is a result of the lucrative contract the 39-year-old signed with Al-Nassr in the emerging Saudi Pro League in January 2023. Ronaldo's name alone carries immense value, making his annual salary of £173 million, though seemingly outrageous, not as absurd as it initially appears. The Portuguese superstar's marketability and commercial appeal have played a significant role in his impressive financial standing.

2. Lionel Messi

Net Worth: £516 million

Lionel Messi, widely regarded as the greatest player of all time, secures second place on the list with a comfortable margin between himself and the third-placed contender. It is fitting that the Argentine maestro has reaped the financial rewards that come with being an elite player, surpassing even his biggest rivals (with the exception of Bolkiah).

Having spent nearly two decades at Barcelona, one of the biggest clubs in world football, before moving to the wealthy Paris Saint-Germain, it is unsurprising that Messi has accumulated an immense fortune throughout his career. The staggering sum of £516 million takes into account various sources of income, including his substantial Spotify endorsement as part of the lucrative contract he signed with Inter Miami in 2023. Messi's financial success is a testament to his exceptional talent and marketability.

1. Faiq Bolkiah

Net Worth: £16 billion

One name that may not be familiar to many is Faiq Bolkiah, who holds the distinction of being recognized as the wealthiest football player in the world. However, his wealth is not derived from his football career but rather from his affluent background.

Bolkiah, an American-born winger, is the nephew of the Sultan of Brunei. He plays professional football more as a passion and hobby rather than a means to accumulate wealth. In terms of success in the sport, he has not achieved the same level as some of the other players on the list, making it challenging to draw comparisons. Bolkiah's situation is truly unique, as his financial situation is primarily attributed to his family background.