ALBAWABA - Football is the most played and watched sport globally, with a multi-billion dollar industry. Players who excel in this field receive the highest salaries, and the richest football players in the world earn millions of dollars annually, with some amassing fortunes totaling billions of dollars. Several factors contribute to a football player's wealth, including salary, bonuses, endorsements, and investments. Some of the richest football players in the world also own companies or have other sources of income.
Here are the top 5 richest football players:
1. Faiq Bolkiah | $20 Billion
Team: Chonburi FC (Thailand)
Records: Richest football player in the world
Faiq Bolkiah, a professional Bruneian footballer, plays as a winger for Chonburi FC in Thailand and the Brunei national team. He is considered the wealthiest football player globally, with an estimated net worth of $20 billion. Bolkiah has been with the Brunei national team since 2014, leading the team since 2018. He is also a Brunei prince, with his father being Jefri Bolkiah, the Prince of Brunei.
2. Lionel Messi | $600 Million
Team: Inter Miami CF, USA
Records: Most Ballon d'Or winners, most La Liga goals, and more
Awards: FIFA Best Player, Ballon d'Or, and more
Lionel Messi is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players ever. The Argentine professional forward plays for Paris Saint-Germain in the French Ligue 1 and leads the Argentina national team. Messi is the second richest football player globally, with a net worth of $600 million.
3. Cristiano Ronaldo | $500 Million
Team: Al-Nassr FC (Saudi Arabia)
Records: All-time leading goal scorer in football
Awards: European Golden Shoe, Ballon d'Or
Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo captains the Portugal national team and plays as a forward for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia. He has won five Ballon d'Or awards and holds the record for the most goals in international football. Ronaldo is widely considered one of the greatest football players ever.
4. David Beckham | $450 Million
Team: Manchester United (Retired)
Records: Only player to win league titles in 4 countries and more
Awards: Premier League Player of the Season, BBC Sports Personality of the Year
David Beckham, a retired professional footballer, played as a midfielder/forward for clubs including Manchester United, Real Madrid, Los Angeles Galaxy, AC Milan, and Paris Saint-Germain. Beckham won 19 major titles during his career and is currently the fourth richest football player, with a net worth of $450 million.
5. Dave Whelan | $210 Million
Teams: Blackburn Rovers and Crewe Alexandra (Retired)
Awards: Freedom of the Borough
Dave Whelan, an English footballer who played as a winger, retired from professional football in 1966. He played for Blackburn Rovers and Crewe Alexandra and won the Football League Third Division North with Blackburn Rovers in 1959. After retiring, Whelan became a successful businessman, founding Wigan Athletic Football Club. His net worth is estimated at $210 million.
