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Welcome to our latest edition of the top 10 richest footballers in the world! As we go any further into 2024, football remains an incredibly lucrative industry and the best players are making ludicrous amounts of money on club salaries alone never mind endorsement deals or sensible investments.

We are going to take a look at the wealthiest footballers in this post and run down the top 10 richest footballers in the world with videos of their fortunes off-pitch. With a mix of long-time superstars and rising young talents, our list mirrors the evolving football finance world.

Here, we lift the lid on some of football’s most dazzling stars — their eye-watering net worths not included. Even those among them who are still wowing fans on the field or have long since retired, these players love to score big when it comes to getting more money. Our countdown starts now — let’s see who is winning the money game come 2024!

Shall we get on with the list of top 10 richest footballers? I could easily write up some fictional entries drawing from current popular tropes and information, but keep in mind that is not reflective of the real 2024.

Top 10 Richest Footballers In The World 2024

10. Ronaldo Luís Nazário | $160 million

Ronaldo Luís Nazário, or simply “O Fenômeno” (The Phenomenon), shows that his legend is not limited to football. In 2024, the Brazilian icon accrued a net worth of $160 million and managed to convert his prowess on the field into notable financial success.

Although Ronaldo ended his playing days in 2011, he has continued to increase his wealth with a string of lucrative business ventures. Those include majority ownership of football teams, most notably La Liga side Real Valladolid for which he is president.

That is also in addition to owning a sports marketing agency and scoring huge sponsorship agreements with some well-known brands.

Many of the roles are due to his broadcasting qualities and deep understanding of football, which have made him a household name in terms of media punditry and also more work for various brand ambassadorial positions.

Today, the headlines are dominated by young players but Ronaldo was a shining example of what can be achieved in terms of fiscal success and it is important for footballers to always have one eye on their post-football financial future.

From the favelas in Rio to becoming a football legend and then rising as a business mogul, his journey is an epitome of intellectness both adaptability and personal branding at its most formidable.

9. Wayne Rooney | $170 million

One of the English legends, Wayne Rooney, has made it onto the list of the richest footballers in the world in 2024, with his net worth estimated at $170 million.

Rooney, famous for his explosive style of play, speed, and number of goals scored, proves that his true might is not only the field but also his earnings.

Wayne’s journey to fabulous wealth began with his debut at Everton and further skyrocketed, as he became Manchester United’s all-time leading goalscorer.

His high-paying contracts with Manchester United, D.C. United and Derby County, as well as his numerous brand promotions such as Nike and EA Sports, were major contributors to his earnings.

Wayne Rooney continues his successful career as a head coach, which also brings significant income. Rooney’s managerial career in Derby County and D.C. United, while they did not gladden the fans with the desired results, significantly increased Wayne’s net worth.

In addition to the high payment for the head coach’s work, Rooney received significant revenue from investments in property and various business undertakings.

There is no clear record of Rooney facing financial hardships, and despite some problematic moments in his career and life, he continues to work in football as Derby County’s head coach. Rooney’s fans, as well as aspiring footballers, can find this illustrative.

8 Kylian Mbappe | $180 million

In 2024, the French football sensation Kylian Mbappé emerged from nowhere among the world’s wealthiest footballers with a gargantuan $180 million fortune. Only 25, and already one of the biggest assets in football historically for only not playing with billions.

Mbappé’s career has taken off since he burst onto the scene as a teenager with Monaco Since joining PSG in 2017, he has become a superstar and blossomed with each passing season into one of the most valuable players on Earth.

Heavily Jorge Mendes influenced over the years, that figure is boosted by a pair of highly lucrative contract extensions signed with PSG.

In addition to what he pockets from his club, Mbappé also enjoys commercial explosion. And his fresh-faced appeal together with some scintillating performances on the field of play has seen him secured by top global brands. His annual income is contributed in 7 figures by endorsement deals with Nike, Hublot, EA Sports, and other companies.

Unfortunately for the PSG star, gaining is not the only good thing about his wallets. He has invested and taken an interest in philanthropy over the years, creating foundations to provide disadvantaged children with access to sports as well as education. That Mbappé is still very much in the midst of financial growth just typifies this forward-thinking approach.

When he is entering what for most footballers will be their prime years, Mbappé almost seems to have no ceiling when it comes to possible additional earnings.

There will no doubt come a time when we see the French starlet rise even higher on this list, with his stock in the global market constantly rising due to ever-present transfer rumors.

7 Zlatan Ibrahimovic | $190 million

Charismatic Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic keeps confounding expectations, both on and off the soccer field—and amasses a lofty net worth of $190 million by 2024.

The king of acrobatic goals, the big man with an even bigger ego and unshakeable self-confidence had converted his football talent into a lucrative business.

Ibrahimovic has cost several million euros in transfer fees and salaries during his career when playing for clubs such as Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan (twice), Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain [PSG], Manchester United & AC Milan.

His longevity at the top has seen him continue picking up lucrative paydays well into his 40s when many of those who were junior contemporaries have long since hung their gloves up.

Ibrahimovic has been a marketing juggernaut off the pitch as well with his one-of-a-kind brand and charisma. His endorsement deals with the likes of Nike, Volvo, and Samsung did much to pad his income. Swede has since branched out, launching a sportswear brand and investing in businesses (such as the Line-Up), diversifying his assets.

Ibrahimovic’s autobiography ‘I Am Zlatan’ became an international best seller, helping him to a new income stream in his already-bulging financial arsenal.

His candid interviews and memorable quotes have kept him in good standing with the media ensuring that he keeps his profile up even as he plays out of his final contract.

Whether Ibrahimovic crosses over into football management or instead pursues other business activities as part of his retirement plan for the whirlwind existence that has been such an integral feature in making him one of world sport’s best-known characters, it seems highly unlikely he will lose any more money to ‘snakes’ which don’t bother defending themselves on social media.

The Swedish icon has come a long way from his rough upbringing in Malmö to becoming one of the wealthiest players on earth through as much by force (and as many goals) of will and business acumen.

6 Neymar Jr. | $200 million

Brazilian football sensation Neymar Jr still impresses fans on the pitch and in terms of his boatload, he has a net worth that reached as high as $200 million in 2024.

The showman with a quirky style of play and marketable personality – Neymar has used his abilities to become one of the richest athletes in history.

Neymar has been earning some obscene money ever since he made his high-profile transfer from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain for a record-breaking fee in 2017, which remained the most expensive transfer of all time until earlier this year. The foundation of his vast wealth is the multi-million-pound contract he has with PSG, with additional bonuses on performance.

That said, Neymar has done considerably better for himself financially than through his on-field salary. He is an in-demand brand ambassador due to his popularity all around the world, and because he has a humongous social media following.

He earns much of his wages through sponsorship from Nike, Red Bull, and Beats by Dre among others. Add to that partnership and his brand (say hello again, ‘NJR’), and Neymar is on the verge of building a commercial empire rivaling what he has done on it.

Neymar has also been very active in expanding his wealth investing in various areas. From tech startups to real estate schemes, the Brazilian has shown his business savvy knows no limits and he will be educating himself on how to grow more money for a while yet.

Although he has had fights and injuries during his career from time to time, Neymar’s financial progress is inspiring for sure. But simply as a player on the move year and brand, not athlete net worth that there you would be from football things going how much he spends to become of them behind teeth.

5 Dave Whelan | $210 million

In 2024, the world’s richest football figures have given way to English businessman and former soccer player Dave Whelan with a net worth of $210 million.

Unlike many of the others here, Whelan’s wealth is not a result of an illustrious playing career at the top level but more through business acumen and entrepreneurship in football most notably.

If English football history has taught us anything, it is to be prepared for the unexpected and that an inspirational true tale could come out of nowhere.

Whelan never told his story at length – but perhaps he should have done more often. Yet somehow one man in a greyhound stadium 76 miles from Wigan had lived every twist and turn along the way because they were what turned Dave Whelan into a multimillionaire when he saw so many rich men go broke elsewhere in this most capricious industry which remains so rooted, as we are discovering again with Sunderland’s latest plight, within all classes (literally).

He then turned to business, establishing a successful chain of supermarkets and sports stores. The jewel in his business empire was JJB Sports, formed into one of the UK’s leading sports retailers before its sale.

But it is his time as a football owner that puts Whelan on the map. The Everton owner bought Wigan Athletic in 1995 when they were a fourth division side and it has paid dividends for him.

But under his stewardship and investment, Wigan rose through the leagues to top-flight football even winning an FA Cup in 2013 — a fairytale journey that captured hearts around the world.

Whelan’s football investments, like the building of what is now called DW Stadium which bears his initials in its name, along with various other infrastructure developments have also served to make a rich man even richer. He has bridged the divide between business and sporting requirements excellently.

Although Whelan resigned as chairman of Wigan in 2015, his presence is still felt in football. It is a story that all of us can take as an example, that combines his passion for sport with the right business attitude and brought him incredible financial success in football.

4 David Beckham | $450 million

The iconic English footballer who is now more of a brand- David Beckham, tops the list and continues to be strong from financial ends with a net worth of just over $ 450 million in 2024.

David Beckham is a one-man industry who, without parallel, has proven time after lucrative contract extension that he can turn athletic fame into enduring financial fortune.

Beckham earned the highest salary in clubs such as Manchester United, Real Madrid, and LA Galaxy throughout his playing career. His post-retirement business ventures, though, have made his fortune soar to new levels.

His meticulously maintained image — a mix of superhero and style-setter for millions around the world — has turned him into one of the biggest pop-culture attractions on earth.

List of David Beckham’s endorsements: Here is a rundown on some of the global brands that are endorsed by football stars — Adidas, Tudor watches, and Haig Club whiskey.

Especially his long-term deal with Adidas, for instance, has been an anchor of his financial kingdom. Further to that, his fragrances and clothing lines are a varied global success.

One of Beckham’s more ambitious and potentially lucrative projects is his co-ownership of Major League Soccer team Inter Miami CF. Today, his pursuit of a sports team fulfills not just that long-ago professional ambition but also places him to grow with the sport he loves at an opportune moment in America.

Given his investments in real estate, as well as several start-ups (including the newly unveiled Haig Club – a single-grain scotch whisky), Beckham has been able to diversify and increase his wealth. This feat, combined with his versatility and ability to diversify across markets has led him into success long after he hung up the boots.

This alongside his work as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and through funding charitable initiatives of the fund launched by Beckham himself, shows an approach to immense wealth that was quickly echoed in football elsewhere.

Aspiring sports stars would do little wrong than to follow David Beckham’s financial rags-to-riches blueprint of building and nurturing a personal brand.

From free-kick specialist to fashion icon and now business tycoon, Beckham has become a shining example that on the back of football careers lies financial power and marketability for even longer than inside traditional sport. David Beckham is number 4 in our list of the top 10 richest footballers in the world in 2024.

3 Cristiano Ronaldo | $500 million

The number 3 spot on our list belongs to the Portuguese football legend, Cristiano Ronaldo — who has an incredible net worth of $500 million in 2024.

Such a number, furthermore, not only serves to embed his positioning as one of the greatest footballers of all time but also indeed in the sport overall financially speaking.

After starting on a football pitch that saw Ronaldo hailed as the next best player in an already great team (Manchester United) to breaking contract records with Real Madrid, Juventus, and most recently with Al Nassr.

Well, moving to the Middle East might have seemed like an odd choice for some but it appears as though his latest pay packet is a remarkably lucrative one and according to multiple sources in Europe he’s now on more money than any of them.

Nevertheless, Ronaldo’s riches are the sum of more than just his soccer salary. With huge appeal worldwide and one of the most followed people on social media across different platforms, there are not many more desirable brand ambassadors.

In terms of his annual earnings, those very healthy long-term deals with Nike and Herbalife (and what we can only assume are several other blue-chip sponsors) pay big rewards.

From his own-brand CR7 underwear to hotels, the empire he has built off of it is an awe-inspiring achievement in its own right. Through his business acumen, Ronaldo has invested in various sectors such as the hospitality industry and fitness -and to top it all a hair transplant clinic. It helps ensure his shining career continues to grow even though he’s on the downhill slope of it.

Even at his age, Ronaldo maintains superhuman physical condition and skill on the pitch which makes him still able to earn a lot both in terms of contracts as a football player or endorsement deals.

With the future in sight, Ronaldo appears to be going nowhere but up when it comes to his financial empire. The upcoming business projects also make room for potential moves into ownership or management in football, which will ensure that even with his continued expansion of assets and wealth due to lucrative ventures off the field as well as on it.

2 Lionel Messi | $600 million

Sitting top of our list, boasting an astronomical total net worth of $600 million by 2024 is Argentine maestro Lionel Messi changing the record books and truly reinventing footballing brilliance both on and off-field.

From a little boy in Rosario, Messi has grown into the richest footballer that football and his world-wide popularity have ever seen.

Most of Messi’s immense wealth has come through his world record contracts with Barcelona, PSG, and now Inter Miami in MLS; a move which rocked the United States top flight to its core.

However, it paid off for him in more ways than one as his move to the US not only landed a large salary change but also enabled access to new revenue opportunities on one of the world’s biggest stages.

But it’s his powers of generation off the pitch that really distinguish him. Arguably the most lucrative remains is his Adidas partnership. Combine this with the likes of his Pepsi, Lay’s, and Budweiser agreements, then he has a sponsorship portfolio solely worth millions yearly.

The Argentine has further spread his revenue streams, from a clothing line of his own to stakes in hotels and real estate work that will ensure financial security beyond the end of their footballing days.

While Messi keeps impressing in the world of football, his financial empire is getting only stronger. His wealth should continue to grow even further, as he looks ahead toward potential future roles in football management or ownership and become a global ambassador of the sport.

His rise from a boy-administered growth hormone treatment to the richest footballer in the world is more than simply an archival chronicle of someone successful at sports—it’s one of the greatest success stories we’ve ever seen during this tumultuous era for athlete-entrepreneurs.

1 Faiq Bolkiah | $20 billion

Topping our chart – standing taller than the greatest footballing names, is Faiq Bolkiah on an unearthly sum of $20b in 2024. The sum in question is so large that it overshadows the entire fortune of many others on our roster, which puts Bolkiah into his class entirely.

However, Bolkiah’s stellar wealth is not from his football skills; it stems from the fact that he was born into the Brunei Royal Family. Faiq’s vast wealth is principally inherited, as the nephew of the Sultan of Brunei, making him a rare example in football finance — where self-made millionaires will tend to be found if at all.

With his wealth, Bolkiah has chosen to compete in the professional game showing a real love for football. The Southampton, Arsenal, and Chelsea youth academy graduate has been on quite the journey.

He may never attain the footballing heights of some other members among that number, but his love for The Game — despite having been raised with a silver spoon in his mouth due to assured wealth or private equity remuneration packages (your take) — has won him respect where it counts.

The wealth of Bolkiah’s family takes away any financial pressure from his football career, something few other players are afforded. That rare status has allowed him to exist in the space of not caring about endorsements, building a personal brand, and for that bone-chilling-curling final result.

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