The Financial Titans of Football: Top 5 Richest Players and Their Revenue Sources
With annual incomes in the hundreds of millions of dollars, legendary players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi still sit at the top even as their careers approach twilight; while Brunei royal family member Faiq Bolkiah, who champions this elite list, brings the story of football wealth to a dramatic climax where commercial talent and bloodline privilege together weave the most complex capital landscape in modern sports. He enjoys a lavish lifestyle thanks to his immense wealth.
1. Faiq Bolkiah (net worth: $20 billion)
Faiq Bolkiah is playing for Ratchaburi FC. He is the richest football player in history with a net worth of $20 billion.
While his monthly salary of $2,900 from the Thai league seems modest, his wealth springs from the enormous $28 billion asset portfolio of his royal family, which includes investments in real estate, energy, and financial services across Asia.
The player doesn’t have significant achievements in football; Faiq’s very existence highlights an unusual contradiction in the sport: while many players earn wealth through hard work, traditional wealth often dominates in the upper echelons of the game. His stints at Leicester City, Chelsea, and Marítimo appear more driven by a love for the sport than financial necessity, allowing him to explore his passion without the usual economic pressures.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo (net worth: $800 million)
Cristiano Ronaldo comes second, with a net worth of $800 million. He is the richest footballer in Europe. His $200 million annual salary at Al Nassr makes him the highest-paid athlete in football history.
Ronaldo has over $1 billion in career earnings and commands a commercial empire, highlighted by a lifetime contract with Nike worth $1 billion.
Furthermore, he has diversified his interests with ventures such as CR7 Hotels, Insparya hair clinics, and the Pestana CR7 lifestyle brand, covering sectors such as hospitality, healthcare, and fashion.
Portugal’s football star has made waves not only on the pitch but also off it by teaming up with Whoop to develop fitness tracking technology. He’s also invested in the football simulation game UFL, taking advantage of the expanding digital sports landscape.
3. Lionel Messi (net worth: $650 million)
Lionel Messi has amassed a net worth of $650 million, positioning him in third place among the wealthiest athletes. His incredible fortune is largely a result of his outstanding football career. At Barcelona, he reached staggering salary heights of $92 million, and with Inter Miami, he now has an annual income of approximately $130 million. Throughout his career, his total earnings have approached an impressive $1.3 billion.
What distinguishes Messi is his innovative MLS Season Pass agreement with Apple TV. This unique deal, which ties his earnings directly to streaming subscriptions, is a first of its kind in the industry and adds an impressive $32 million to his income each year.
Lionel Messi has been working with Adidas since 2017, and this partnership has greatly boosted his earnings, especially through the exclusive Adidas Messi line that has helped to enhance his brand.
But Messi’s interests extend far beyond football. He’s got a solid entrepreneurial spirit that’s clear in several of his investments.
4. David Beckham (net worth: $450 million)
Even after retiring from professional soccer in 2013, David Beckham has kept earning a good income through various businesses. During his impressive career, he reportedly made around $800 million. His time at big clubs like Manchester United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, and Paris Saint-Germain played a big role in his financial success.
His charm and market appeal opened the door to lucrative endorsement deals with major brands like Armani, Gillette, and Adidas. As a smart businessman, Beckham has cultivated successful partnerships through his venture, DB Ventures. He made a significant investment in Inter Miami, purchasing the team for $25 million in 2014, and its value skyrocketed after signing Lionel Messi, with revenue rising from $60 million in 2023 to $200 million.
In a major financial move, Beckham sold 55% of DB Ventures to Authentic Brands Group for $230 million in 2022. Known for his luxurious lifestyle, Beckham continues to showcase his business acumen well beyond the football field.
5. Neymar (net worth: $250 million)
Right now, he earns about €100 million from his contract with Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia. This adds to his impressive net worth of $250 million, making him the fifth richest football player in the world. During his time in France, the only player earning more than him at PSG was his teammate Kylian Mbappé.
Let’s look at his entire career, aside from his initial time at Santos. Neymar has earned a staggering minimum of $800 million just from football salaries and a series of lucrative endorsement deals with big names like Puma, Red Bull, and PokerStars.
He owns a private Boeing 747-400 jet worth around $220 million, which features a master suite, luxury leather seats, and a golden throne-like seat for comfort.
