Top 10 Richest Soccer Players: Who Leads in 2024

Football players, like the newest online casinos in Australia, continue to profit from their renown through a variety of revenue streams.

This list will include inherited money as well as revenue from professional careers, endorsements, and business enterprises. Here's an in-depth look at the world's top ten richest soccer players.

1. Faiq Bolkiah - $20 Billion

Who is the richest soccer player? The answer is Faiq Bolkiah who is a member of the Brunei royal family. Of course, his playing career isn't spectacular at all compared to some from this article but he really does swim deep in huge piles of cash due to his lineage. In fact, his dad, Prince Jefri Bolkiah, and his uncle, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, play major roles in his enormous fortune. As the captain of the Brunei national team and a player in Thai League 1, Bolkiah's football career is just a drop in the ocean of his rich life, brewed from the leading business deals and investments of the royal family.

2. Lionel Messi - $650 Million

The second position is taken by one of the most respected names in the industry: Lionel Messi is also the richest footballer in the world. Having had an amazing career at FC Barcelona, Messi recently moved to Inter Miami in Major League Soccer. He has made millions from his playing contracts and endorsements. Plus, he has lucrative relationships with companies like Adidas, Pepsi, and Budweiser. Lionel is a seven-time winner of the Ballon d'Or, too. Other business ventures entail the Messi stores and MIM Hotels, which add to his enormous fortune. Messi's net worth is projected to continue growing as he embarks on new ventures in the sports and business worlds.

3. Cristiano Ronaldo - $550 Million

Cristiano Ronaldo's success on and off the pitch is widely documented, and his net worth represents that fairly. Regarded by many as one of the greatest footballers of all time, Ronaldo has made a killing through playing contracts, endorsements, and business ventures. Being the highest paid footballer 2024, currently starring for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, the Portuguese star penned a mammoth deal reportedly worth €220 million per season. Apart from football, Ronaldo owns a chain of hotels and restaurants and has a line of clothes and perfumes via his brand CR7. His lifetime deal with Nike, among other lucrative endorsement deals, ensures Ronaldo's well of money keeps growing.

4. David Beckham - $450 Million

Coming in at number four is the one and only David Beckham, an icon on and off the soccer pitch. Prone to accurate free kicks, and also one of the reasons why soccer became popular in the U.S., Beckham's wealth is both from his playing days and from post-retirement ventures. David co-owns and serves as president at Inter Miami while holding various business stakes in companies like his own line of fashion. His major endorsement deals with Adidas and H&M, among others, have seen his net worth go through the roof. Other ways he gets money include investments in real estate and the hospitality industry, thereby placing Beckham among the richest footballers in the world.

5. Neymar Jr. - $250 Million

Brazilian forward Neymar Jr. is fifth on the list with an estimated net worth of $250 million in total. Highly known for his flair, creativity, and dribbling, much of Neymar's earnings have come from his football contracts, especially his record-breaking €222 million move to PSG that made him the highest paid soccer player in 2017. The versatile player has other endorsement deals with major brands like Puma and Red Bull. Neymar’s transfer to Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia has boosted his earnings even further. His business projects and investments in various sectors, such as fashion and technology, add to his wealth, too.

6. Dave Whelan - $210 Million

Former footballer Dave Whelan made his fortune long after he had retired from professional soccer. Whelan played for Crewe Alexandra and Blackburn Rovers before moving into business. He was the owner and chairman of Wigan Athletic, which he brought to victory, including the FA Cup in 2013. Whelan made his fortune by investing in retail and other pursuits, and the successful businessperson has parlayed that into being one of the wealthiest figures in football. Today, although he stepped down from active ownership of Wigan, his investments still pay substantial dividends.

7. Zlatan Ibrahimovic - $190 Million

The larger-than-life personality of Zlatan Ibrahimovic translates to his unmatched talent on the pitch. Having played for some of the biggest clubs in the world, including FC Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Manchester United, this Swedish striker has made his way up the ranks. Zlatan's wealth comes from a long successful career in football, as well as his endorsement deals with brands like Nike. Besides that, Ibrahimovic has some business interests, including his stake in the Swedish club Hammarby IF.

8. Wayne Rooney - $170 Million

Wayne Rooney is one of the richest footballers in England. He is regarded as Manchester United's all-time top scorer, having been the captain of the English national team and making most of his money through lucrative football contracts. Now retired, he has gone into management, taking up the reins at Derby County and DC United. Along with managing, Rooney has endorsement deals with Nike and other companies. In addition, there are business investments, largely in real estate; hence, his net worth reaches $170 million.

9. Ronaldo Luis Nazario - $160 Million

Ronaldo Nazário, or simply Ronaldo, is one of the best forwards the football fans have ever seen. This Brazilian legend won two FIFA World Cups and a bunch of Ballon d'Or awards for most of his high-earning playing career. Since retiring, Ronaldo has invested in a number of business ventures that include owning La Liga club Real Valladolid and Serie A club Cruzeiro. He is also a football ambassador and engages in various philanthropic activities. Ronaldo’s earnings are worth 160 million dollars, and with his business investments and other activities that he engages in, he remains among the wealthiest athletes in the world.

10. Kylian Mbappé - $110 Million

Kylian Mbappé is one of the most promising young talents in the world of football, and his net worth is proof of that fast rise into stardom. A French forward for Real Madrid, Mbappé earned worldwide acclaim during the 2018 FIFA World Cup and eventually set in stone himself as one of the best in the industry. Kylian Mbappé's net worth of $110 million is attained from football contracts with top brands like Nike, sponsorship agreements, and other business issues. We believe his net income will increase even more as he proceeds with his opportunities both on and off the field.

How Do These Players Build Their Wealth?

These players earn their wealth in a variety of ways. Most make a lot of money from lucrative sports contracts, which often include extra bonuses and incentives. Endorsements with large brands also provide significant revenue, often exceeding their salaries. Many of them also invest in businesses or buy shares in clubs to ensure long-term financial stability. In exceptional situations, such as Faiq Bolkiah, inherited money from royal ancestry enhances their fortune, too.

Final Thoughts

The richest soccer players in the world are diversifying their financial standing, with traditional salaries, endorsements, and business enterprises driving their earnings. As we approach 2025, these 10 sportsmen demonstrate how talent and wise financial decisions may result in amazing fortunes. Their contracts, transactions, and investments establish the standard for future generations.