Richest Footballers in the World: Football, often referred to as the world’s most beloved sport, has not only made legends on the pitch but also created millionaires off it. As the global popularity of the game continues to rise, so do the earnings of its top athletes through massive contracts, brand endorsements, and business ventures. If you’ve ever wondered who could be the richest footballer in the world? You’re not alone. Our latest list of the top 10 richest footballer in the world is filled with staggering net worths that might just surprise you.

While names like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Kylian Mbappé dominate headlines for their unmatched skills, they also rank among the wealthiest. But none tops the list quite like Faiq Bolkiah, who takes the crown as the richest football player in the world. In this article, we break down the financial empires of these athletes, revealing who truly stands as the richest player in the world. So if you’re curious to know who the richest football player is, keep reading as we unveil the official ranking of the top 10 richest footballers in the world based on net worth, annual salary, and current status.

In this article, we will explore the richest footballers of 2026, taking a closer look at the earnings, investments, and brands that have contributed to their staggering net worth.

Table of Contents

List of the Richest Footballers in the World

According to recent reports, the following is a tabular list of the richest footballers in the world as of 2026:

Rank	Name	Net Worth	Team
1	Faiq Bolkiah	$20 billion	Chonburi F.C., Thailand
2	Cristiano Ronaldo	$800 million	Al Nassr
3	Lionel Messi	$650 million	Inter Miami
4	David Beckham	$450 million	Manchester United
5	Neymar Jr.	$250 million	Paris Saint-Germain
6	Dave Whelan	$230 million	Blackburn Rovers
7	Wayne Rooney	$216 million	DC United
8	Karim Benzema	$200 million	Al-Ittihad
9	Zlatan Ibrahimovic	$190 million	AC Milan
10	Kylian Mbappé	$180 million	Paris Saint-Germain

1. Faiq Bolkiah : First Richest Football Player in the World

Net Worth: $20 billion (approximately ₹1,660,000 crores)
Salary: $1,000 per week (around ₹82,000)
Team: Chonburi F.C. (Thailand)
Age: 26
Career Start: 2016

Faiq Bolkiah is the richest footballer in the world, primarily due to his royal lineage as a member of the Brunei royal family. Despite his immense wealth, his football earnings are relatively modest. He plays as a winger for Chonburi F.C. and has represented the Brunei national team since 2014.

Bolkiah’s unique position as both a footballer and a prince has attracted significant media attention, although he remains largely out of the spotlight compared to other football stars.

2. Cristiano Ronaldo: Second Richest Football Player in the World

Net Worth: $800 million
Salary: $214 million annually
Team: Al Nassr (Saudi Arabia)
Age: 39
Career Start: 2002

Cristiano Ronaldo is another legendary figure in football, known for his incredible goal-scoring ability and physical prowess. He has played for top clubs like Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus before joining Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia.

Ronaldo holds numerous records, including being the highest international goal scorer of all time. His brand CR7 encompasses various products and endorsements that significantly boost his financial standing.

3. Lionel Messi: Third Richest Footballers in the World

Net Worth: $650 million
Salary: $60 million annually
Team: Inter Miami (USA)
Age: 37
Career Start: 2004

Lionel Messi is often hailed as one of the greatest footballers of all time. After an illustrious career at FC Barcelona, where he became the club’s all-time top scorer, Messi joined Paris Saint-Germain before moving to Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.

He has won numerous awards, including eight Ballon d’Or titles and multiple UEFA Champions League trophies. Messi’s endorsements with major brands like Adidas contribute significantly to his wealth.

4. David Beckham

Net Worth: $450 million (approximately ₹37,350 crores)
Salary: Estimated at $50 million annually during his playing career (around ₹410 crores)
Team: Retired (formerly played for Manchester United)
Age: 48
Career Start: 1992

David Beckham is renowned not only for his skills on the pitch but also for his global fame and influence off it. He played for several prestigious clubs, including Manchester United and Real Madrid, winning numerous titles throughout his career.

Beckham’s post-retirement ventures include co-owning Inter Miami CF and various endorsement deals that have solidified his status as a cultural icon.

5. Neymar Jr.

Net Worth: $250 million
Salary: $160 million annually
Team: Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
Age: 32
Career Start: 2009

Neymar Jr. is known for his flair and creativity on the field. He began his career at Santos before moving to Barcelona and then to Paris Saint-Germain.

In 2023, he signed with Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia. Neymar has received multiple accolades throughout his career and has lucrative endorsement deals with brands like Nike and Red Bull.

6. Dave Whelan

Net Worth: $230 million
Salary: 8 million
Team: Blackburn Rovers and Crewe Alexandra
Age: 59 years
Career Start: 1956

Dave Whelan, the former owner of Wigan Athletic and founder of JJB Sports, transitioned from a professional football career to become a highly successful businessman. This transformation has made him one of the wealthiest footballers globally, currently ranking sixth with an estimated net worth of $230 million.

While best known for his pivotal role in Wigan Athletic’s impressive journey to the Premier League, culminating in their FA Cup victory against Manchester City, Whelan’s financial success originated with Whelan Discount Stores. He further solidified his wealth by selling his sportswear retail chain, JJB Sports, for £190 million in 2007.

7. Wayne Rooney

Net Worth: $216 million
Salary: 8 million
Team: Everton, Manchester United, Everton, D.C. United, and Derby County
Age: 39 years
Career Start: 2002

Wayne Rooney, a celebrated English footballer renowned for his exceptional skills as an attacking midfielder and forward for Manchester United, holds the seventh position among the world’s wealthiest soccer players with a net worth of $216 million. His remarkable talent, unwavering tenacity, and composure in high-pressure situations led to legendary achievements on the field.

Rooney etched his name in football history by becoming Manchester United’s all-time leading goalscorer and England’s top scorer. Even as his extraordinary playing career concluded, he solidified his status as one of football’s most marketable figures.

During his prime years at Manchester United, Rooney commanded a weekly salary of approximately £300,000, making him one of the highest-paid players of his time. His move to D.C. United in the National Soccer League further boosted his income, demonstrating his value beyond European football.

8. Karim Benzema

Net Worth: $200 million
Salary: Estimated at $100 million annually during his playing career
Current team: Al-Ittihad Club
Age: 37 years
Career Start: 2009

The former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema is next on our list of the richest players in the world of football in 2026. Benzema is one of the most distinguished footballers who has an estimated $200 million net worth from his professional career and endorsement deals. Benzema’s primary contributor is his club contract. However, the player retired from the international scene in 2022. After a historic 2022-23 season, Benzema signed a lucrative deal with a Saudi Arabian club.

In 2023, the Ballon d’Or winner transferred to the Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad and agreed upon a $100 million annual salary, with only $4 million coming from the brands and endorsement deals. Speaking of which, Benzema endorsed many prominent brands like Adidas, EA Sports, and Hyundai. He deservedly earns the tag of the richest footballer in the world. The Frenchman is still active as a player, securing multi-million dollar paycheques; his position is expected to improve on this table.

9. Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Net Worth: $190 million
Team: Retired
Age: 39 years

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is one of the most successful & charismatic footballers of his time. The Swedish legend Zlatan’s estimated net worth of $190 million makes him one of the richest footballers in the world. The former Swedish striker has played for some iconic clubs like FC Barcelona, AC Milan, and others, which tells us why he is ranked the 9th player on our list of the richest footballer in the world. His football contracts were often among the highest-paid in the sport.

The AC Milan and PSG legend succeeded off the field after retirement, and his income has extended massively to endorsements with multi-million-dollar companies like Nike and Volvo. He has also launched his perfume company and has invested in various ventures, including a sports agency and a media company. Also, his fearless and strong attitude has attracted many commercials. He is currently serving at Serie A club AC Milan in an advisory role.

10. Kylian Mbappé

Net Worth: $180 million
Age: 26 years

The French superstar Kylian Mbappé is one of the best football players in the world, which has made him the owner of his massive estimated $180 million net worth. Mbappé accumulated his net worth with his current salary, business ventures, and endorsement deals. In 2024, Mbappé moved to Real Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain, accepting an annual salary of approximately €15 million net per season, roughly €288,000 per week.

Mbappe is among the top 10 richest footballers in the world, with brand endorsements from renowned companies like Hublot, Dior, and Oakley, which add an additional 18 million to his net worth. Additionally, the football player is also a main ambassador for Nike’s football series. The player is still on the rise, which makes him the strongest competitor to go shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in both Monetary terms as well as professional performance.

Also Read: Top 10 Richest Players in the World by Net Worth in 2026

Conclusion

The richest footballers in the world are a mix of legendary icons and rising stars who have not only showcased extraordinary talent on the field but also mastered the art of branding and investments.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi continue to dominate the wealth charts with their long-standing influence, scoring millions through club salaries and sponsorships.

Neymar remains a close competitor, with his flashy style and global appeal bringing in massive earnings. Younger players like Kylian Mbappé are also making waves, combining impressive on-field performances with smart endorsement deals.

From their record-breaking transfer fees to their lucrative endorsement deals, these footballers have set new standards for financial success. As the sport progresses, we can expect to see some new talents on the above list.

Published by: Murali Malalur