10 biggest sponsorship deals in football players: Messi and Ronaldo can’t compete with two names

It is no surprise that 100% of the players in this elite list have secured lucrative agreements with the three industry titans: Nike, Adidas, and Puma. These massive contracts do more than just boost player income during their playing days or even after retirement; they serve as a commercial bridge that enhances a star's global brand, bringing their name to every corner of the world. 

Conversely, sponsoring corporations leverage the reputation of their clients to drive sales and reach millions of potential customers through the players' vast fanbases. Can you guess which stars hold the top spots? 

Find the answer with Nowgoalpro in this breakdown of the top 10 biggest football player sponsorship deals in history.

The biggest sponsorship deals in football players of all time

10. Mohamed Salah – Adidas (£2.5 million/year)

The Egyptian King, currently a legend at Liverpool since 2017, holds a significant deal with Adidas. As the most iconic African player of his generation, Salah is the face of the Adizero X line. This partnership solidified his status as a global icon, sitting alongside the brand's top-tier athletes.

9. Marco Verratti – Nike (£2.5 million/year)

In 2017, Verratti made headlines by switching from Puma to Nike. The Italian midfielder, who spent over a decade at PSG before moving to Al-Arabi in 2023, signed a long-term deal to wear the Nike Hypervenom line, a contract significantly more valuable than his previous Puma arrangement.

8. Paul Pogba – Adidas (£3.1 million/year)

Paul Pogba signed a 10-year deal with Adidas in 2016, worth roughly £31 million in total. The French World Cup winner was a marquee signing for the brand, used to launch the Predator rebirth. Despite recent career hurdles, Pogba remains under contract with the German giant until 2026.

7. Antoine Griezmann – Puma (£3.5 million/year)

Griezmann has been a loyal Puma ambassador since 2010. In 2015, he signed a lucrative extension to become a lead face for the Puma Future line. Currently playing for Atletico Madrid, the Frenchman’s deal was a key part of Puma’s strategy to rival Nike and Adidas in the European market.

6. Gareth Bale – Adidas (£4 million/year)

The Welsh wizard was a long-time Adidas athlete, famously wearing the F50 and X lines. His sponsorship continued to pay out even as his playing time dwindled. Bale officially retired from professional football in January 2023 at the age of 33, ending a storied career at LAFC.

5. Kylian Mbappé – Nike (£14 million/year)

Real Madrid’s newest superstar, Kylian Mbappé, signed a 10-year deal with Nike in 2019 worth a staggering £140 million. Nike beat out intense competition from Adidas to keep him. Mbappé is now the primary face of the Mercurial Superfly, following in the footsteps of his idol, Cristiano Ronaldo.

4. Cristiano Ronaldo – Nike (£15 million/year - Lifetime)

In 2016, Ronaldo signed a historic "lifetime" deal with Nike, similar to basketball legend Michael Jordan. While the annual base is high, the total value is estimated at over $1 billion. Having moved to Al-Nassr in 2023, CR7 remains the most influential figure in Nike’s footballing history.

3. Lionel Messi – Adidas (£18 million/year - Lifetime)

Messi followed Ronaldo’s lead by signing a lifetime contract with Adidas in 2017. Previously with Nike in his youth, Messi switched to Adidas in 2006. Now at Inter Miami, he continues to be the crown jewel of the German brand, with his own "Messi" sub-brand of boots.

4. Erling Haaland – Nike (£19.3 million/year)

After his previous Nike deal expired, Haaland spent months wearing different brands before re-signing with the Swoosh in 2023. The Manchester City striker’s new 10-year contract is one of the largest in history, placing him on equal footing with the world's most marketable athletes.

1. Neymar Jr. – Puma (£23 million/year)

Neymar shocked the world in 2020 by leaving Nike after 15 years to join Puma. The deal is the largest individual sponsorship in football history, worth double his previous Nike contract. Neymar is the global face of Puma King, a signing that elevated the brand's prestige to the highest level.

10 biggest sponsorship deals in football players:

1. Neymar Jr. - Puma (£23 million) 

2. Erling Haaland - Nike (£19.3 million)

3. Lionel Messi - Adidas (£18 million)

4. Cristiano Ronaldo - Nike (£15 million)

5. Kylian Mbappé - Nike (£14 million)

6. Gareth Bale - Adidas (£4 million)

7. Antoine Griezmann - Puma (£3.5 million)

8. Paul Pogba Adidas (£3.1 million)

9. Marco Verratti - Nike (£2.5 million)

10. Mohamed Salah - Adidas (£2.5 million)

Are you a regular football player yourself, and if so, which boot line do you support among the biggest sponsorship deals in football players' history that Nowgoalpro.net just revealed above? Whether you prefer the speed of Nike's Mercurial or the classic touch of the Adidas Predator, there is no denying the impact these deals have on the beautiful game.

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