Top 10 richest football players in the world: Cristiano Ronaldo misses top spot

Footballers, especially those at the highest level, command extremely high salaries. Many people assume Cristiano Ronaldo would be the wealthiest player, but that is not entirely true. In this article, NowGoal Pro lists the top 10 richest football players in the world based on net worth.

Top 10 richest football players in the world (net worth)

Cristiano Ronaldo is not at the top of the list, as he is surpassed by Faiq Bolkiah. A member of the Brunei royal family, Bolkiah has an estimated net worth of around $20 billion. However, his football career has not been particularly remarkable. He began in Chelsea’s youth academy, later played for Leicester City and Southampton, and eventually returned to Asia, where he currently plays in Thailand. Despite his royal background, Bolkiah is widely known for his humble and friendly personality.

Ronaldo ranks second on the list, largely because Bolkiah’s wealth comes from royalty rather than football. The Portuguese superstar remains the highest-earning footballer in the world, with an estimated net worth of $1.4 billion. His fortune comes not only from his massive salary but also from numerous endorsement deals with brands such as Nike, Herbalife, and Binance. Ronaldo has also invested heavily in businesses including hotels, gyms, fragrances, and fashion.

Third on the list is Ronaldo’s long-time rival, Lionel Messi. At 39, the Argentine star continues to earn huge sums from his salary at Inter Miami, along with sponsorships, advertising deals, and personal brands. With an estimated net worth of around $650 million, Messi is gradually approaching the $1 billion mark after more than two decades at the top level.

Ranked fourth is David Beckham, the owner of Inter Miami, where Messi currently plays. Even during his playing career, Beckham was famous for building a global image alongside his wife, Victoria. Thirteen years after retiring, he remains one of the richest footballers in the world. His wealth comes from club ownership, long-term endorsement deals, and various investments.

Top 10 richest football players in the world (net worth)

1. Faiq Bolkiah, Brunei, $20 billion

2. Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal, $1.4 billion

3. Lionel Messi, Argentina, $650 million - $850 million

4. David Beckham, England, $450 million

5. Neymar Jr, Brazil, $250 million

6. Wayne Rooney, England, $220 million

7. Dave Whelan, England, $210 million

8. Karim Benzema, France, $200 million

9. Zlatan Ibrahimović, Sweden, $190 million

10. Kylian Mbappé, France, $180 million

Top 10 highest-paid football players 2025 (via Forbes)

In addition to his vast wealth, Cristiano Ronaldo is currently the highest-paid footballer in the world and is projected to be the highest-paid athlete across all sports in 2025. According to Forbes, he earns around $230 million per year in salary from Al Nassr, along with approximately $50 million from other sources, including his personal brand and social media presence. Ronaldo has a combined social media following of over 1.04 billion, more than any other footballer.

Second on the list is Lionel Messi, who also earns one of the highest salaries in football, estimated at around $60 million per year, in addition to sponsorships and endorsement deals. Third is Karim Benzema, currently playing for Al-Ittihad and recently linked with a move to Al-Hilal. At 37, Benzema remains a key figure for his team and earns around $100 million annually. Although he does not actively build his personal brand like some others, he still attracts around 76 million followers on Instagram.

Ranked fourth is Kylian Mbappé, with an estimated annual income of $95 million. Mbappé is one of the leading stars of the new generation, captaining the French national team and playing for Real Madrid. Beyond football, he has invested in several ventures, including a stake of more than 10% in German electronics company Loewe and an 80% ownership share in French club Stade Malherbe Caen.

Next on the list is Erling Haaland, Manchester City’s star striker, who earns around $60 million per year. Haaland has established himself as one of the best strikers in the world, breaking numerous records and helping his team win major titles. He is also active in building his personal brand, running a YouTube channel that documents his life and collaborating with major global and local brands.

Top 10 highest-paid football players 2025 (via Forbes)

1. Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal, Al-Nassr, $280 million

2. Lionel Messi, Argentina, Inter Miami, $130 million

3. Karim Benzema, France, Al-Ittihad, $104 million

4. Kylian Mbappé, France, Real Madrid, $95 million

5. Erling Haaland, Norway, Manchester City, $80 million

6. Vinicius Jr., Brazil, Real Madrid, $60 million

7. Mohamed Salah, Egypt, Liverpool, $55 million

8. Sadio Mané, Senegal, Al-Nassr, $54 million

9. Jude Bellingham, England, Real Madrid, $44 million

10. Lamine Yamal, Spain, Barcelona, $43 million 

In this article, nowgoalpro.net have reviewed top 10 richest football players in the world. To discover more interesting football facts and results, stay tuned here.