This is the list of richest footballers in the world as of 2022. According to Forbes magazine, Faiq Bolkiah who plays for Thai club Chonburi and the Brunei national team, is the world’s richest footballer player having net worth of $20 billion!!
There are many factors that contribute to a player’s wealth, such as endorsements and salaries, the answer to this question is not always clear. However, we have compiled a list of the top 10 richest footballers in the world, based on their estimated net worth. So have look at the who is the No 1 richest footballer in the world and stands at the No 10.
Top 10 richest footballers in the world
#10 Eden Hazard (US$100 million)
Career span: 2007-Present
One of the most admired players of his time Hazard, who is 31 years old Belgium international earned a name as a player with Chelsea for seven years prior to moving towards the Spanish capital, Real Madrid. Famous for his ingenuity and dribbling skills, as well as the ability to control ball and pass, Hazard has played as an attacking or winger for the majority of his time.
Since his debut as a professional at LOSC Lille in 2007, Hazard has played in 612 senior club matches for professional clubs scoring 166 goals and giving an additional 155 assists. Hazard has also been a part of the Belgium men’s national side at 116 times with 33 goals, as well as contributing 35 assists.
Although the 31-year-old has had a struggle for fitness and match-time since his move to Real Madrid for a base cost that was EUR100 million, there’s absolutely no question that the Belgian has been able to leverage his name to create an established brand. Alongside Nike who has been the official supplier of his sports equipment from 2012 on, Hazard has sponsorship deals with Sina Sports, Topps, and Lotus Bakeries. Additionally, Hazard also owns a Mansion worth $12 million in Spain.
#9 Mesut Ozil (US$101 million)
Career span: 2006-Present
Quick, agile technically skilled player with extraordinary ball control and dribbling abilities Mesut Ozil is an legendary talent that seems to have lost his way in the final stages of his playing career. If only he could have the dedication and discipline required to compete at an highest level for a long duration of time, the name could be among the ranks most outstanding players ever to grace the football field.
The family was born and raised within Gelsenkirchen, Ozil began his professional career in the senior ranks with his home team Schalke 04 before signing for Werder Bremen in 2008 at the age of 19. Cup success during his first full season at Bremen and his individual excellence brought Real Madrid knocking on his door in the year 2010. He won his 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2012 European Championship as the most efficient assister as Germany reached the semi-finals of both tournaments.
As an Germany player, Ozil holds the record for the most German Player of the Awards of the Year (5) as well as his three seasons at Real Madrid saw him finish as the best assister during all three seasons (80 assists total in all for Los Blancos).
Ozil was crucial to Germany’s success in this year’s FIFA World Cup as they won the trophy after a wait of nearly 24 years as he was among Arsene Wenger’s most trusted assistants at Arsenal until he fell out of favor along with Unai Emery as well as Mikel Arteta, with the former dismissing him after several incidents of unprofessional conduct. Even so, his $350,000-a-week salary at Arsenal was a huge help in his way to build his financial fortunes. The current Turkish resident is supported by his lengthy association to Adidas since 2013. This has allowed him to develop M10 his own brand and also competing with other brands in FIFA as well as Fortnite tournaments.
#8 Andres Iniesta (US$120 million)
Career span: 2001-Present
The product of Barcelona’s famous young academy La Masia, Andres Iniesta is widely regarded as to be one of the best midfielders ever. Iniesta made his first appearance at the young age of 18 and by the time he was in the 2004-05 campaign Iniesta had established himself in the ranks of most important player in the Barca team with Dutch director Frank Rijkaard. In the years that followed, he was among the first names listed on the team’s roster. Iniesta was an integral part of the Barcelona team that achieved the treble in 2009 and ’15. In addition, his 35 awards, which included nine LaLiga titles as well as the nine UEFA Champions League titles, made him the most famous Spanish footballer ever.
The 37-year-old also played for the Spanish national team’s men’s side at 132 times and scored 14 goals while also providing 30 assists. His most impressive characteristic was his ability to step up his game in crucial circumstances. He was awarded his Man of the Match prize during the semifinal of 2008’s European Championship as Spain lifted the trophy for the first time in its history, as well as scoring an important goal during the 2010 FIFA World Cup final as Iniesta was awarded to be the player of the match and was named to the All-Star team. In the same way, In 2012’s European Championship final against Italy was another occasion where Iniesta displayed his technical skill when he assisted in helping Spain maintain their title, while receiving the Man of the Award in the final and also the award for the Player of the Tournament award.
The year 2018 saw the Spanish legend make a move to the east when he joined Vissel Kobe from Vissel Kobe of the J1 League in Japan. The club signed him on the basis of a EUR25 million-a year contract and is taking over his long-standing partners Nike by a Japanese sportswear company Asics. The other sponsorship deals he has signed include Nissan and UFX.com as well as being also the majority shareholder in the club he played for as a boy, Albacete Balompie.
#7 Gareth Bale (US$125 million)
Career span: 2006-Present
Gareth Bale began his professional career at Southampton playing in the left-back position and was tagged an expert on free-kicks. In 2007 Tottenham Hotspur poached him for an amount in the region of PS7 million. While in the club’s White Hart Lane, Bale began to develop his game, becoming more aggressive in the final third of the field that saw him transform to an winger.
From 2010 until the year 2013, Bale was among the top player during his time in the Premier League. Bale was awarded his PFA Players’ Player of the Year award in the years 2011 as well as 2013 and was included to the UEFA Team of the Year during these seasons. He was also named the 2013 Player of the Year. was awarded The PFA Players’ Young Player of the Year, FWA Footballer of the Year, and the Premier League Player of the Season.
The 1st of September, 2013. Bale joined Real Madrid at the time for the world’s record fee that was EUR100.8 million, which was more than that previous mark of PS80 million which Los Blancos paid for Cristiano Ronaldo back in 2009.
Bale’s first couple of seasons at the club were awash with every major trophy to be taken home by the European club and included the four UEFA Champions League titles. But, Real Madrid have been grieving every day over the contract extension of PS600,000 per week they offered Bale in 2016. Welshman in 2016.
As bizarre as it sounds however, even though Bale hasn’t managed to get his spot at Real Madrid with his lack of professionalism, he’s been a star for Wales at international level. In the most recent World Cup Qualification Playoff match For instance Bale helped his team with a brace in the match against Austria.
For income from off-pitch options, Bale has a long-standing relationship with Adidas which is his supplier of sports equipment. Bale also has a long-standing relationship with Adidas, which is a supplier of Wales captain also has contracts with sponsorship companies such as Nissan, Lucozade, BT Sport and has also been the cover star for EA Sports’ FIFA Series (FIFA 14) and Konami’s Pro Evolution Soccer for its Euro 2016 content in the past. Bale has also been charged the north of P135,000 for an ad on Instagram.
#6 Alexandre Pato (US$145 million)
Career span: 2006-Present
Despite his early fame, Alexandre Pato never really attained the level that he was praised for and yet, at just 32, he’s one of a small group of players who are among the most successful footballers around the globe.
Pato began his career at 16 with Brazilian team Internacional in 2006. Later, in 2007 Italian big-names AC Milan roped him in. However, 2009 proved to be his most memorable year when Pato scored 18 goals in 42 games across all competitions. He was awarded his the Golden Boy and Serie A Young Player of the Year award, and AC Milan was also their highest goalscorer, with the Rossoneri won the Serie A title in 2010-11.
After 10 years of ups and downs, at least on the field, Pato is now playing in the MLS team Orlando City, while his fortune is due to his numerous endorsement and investment deals. Pato also has an endorsement contract to CoverGirl Cosmetics, while he also owns an eatery brand (Fat Pato Burger) in Brasilia as well as a football club (Pato Branco Angels) as well as his own brands that include vodka (Pure Wonderpato) and perfume (With Love From Alexandre).
#5 Zlatan Ibrahimovic (US$190 million)
Career span: 1999-Present
In his first season with Malmo FF in 1999, Zlatan was able to establish himself among the top exciting forwards from Europe and played for a number of years, playing for various European clubs, including Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, AC Milan, PSG and Manchester United and then flies farther west in order to compete Major League Soccer, before the fame and excitement in the European leagues enticed Zlatan home to AC Milan. He is now 40 years old, Zlatan is still going well and is currently the captain for his AC Milan forward line which is in the race to be the best. In addition, he is the club’s highest-paid player with an EUR7 million a year salary.
Ibrahimovic is Sweden’s male national team’s most prolific goalscorer with 62 goals. the player is one of only 11 players who have represented Sweden over 100 times. Additionally, he has been recognized with the Guldbollen (the Golden Ball) which is presented for players who have been named the Swedish best player in the world at a total of 12 times, winning the award consecutively for 10 seasons in a row between 2007 and. The year 2015 was the first time UEFA classified him as being the greatest player not to be awarded the UEFA Champions League.
On the other side of the pitch Ibrahimovic is well-known for his outspoken public persona and his outspoken remarks. This helps to draw more attention since his sponsorship deals fetch approximately US$10 million annually and include associations with brands like Nike and Nivea, Samsung, Microsoft Xbox and Volvo. This Swedish legend also has three mansions, which are valued at $15 million. Other investment portfolio includes his personal collection of perfumes, as well as the 23.5 percent stake in Swedish top-flight team Hammarby IF.
#4 Neymar (US$220 million)
Career span: 2009-Present
If you’ve ever seen some of his luxury cars or the extravagant and extravagant celebrations he’s held during the last few years, it’s difficult not to be reminded of Neymar when you think of some of the most wealthy footballers around the globe. Neymar is a Brazilian became famous in the Brazilian club Santos where was his first professional appearance at the age of 17 years old. He was instrumental in Santos getting two successive Campeonato Paulista Championships, a Copa do Brasil, and the 2011 Copa Libertadores — the first time since 1963.
2013 saw Neymar joining Catalan bigwigs FC Barcelona and become a part of the legendary MSN (partnering together along with Leo Messi and Luis Suarez) trio that dominated soccer across the globe, leading to a historic European trip to the treble in 2015. In 2015, Neymar was shifting towards the French capital and signing with the Paris Saint Germain club for a record-breaking cost of EUR222 million. He became one of the highest-priced players in history at the time. According to reports, Neymar currently earns close to US$70 million annually at PSG.
The Brazilian performer also ranks fourth on Forbes’ top 10 list, which includes the 10 most well-paid athletes, with a calendar earnings of around $95 million. Recently, he changed his equipment provider of Nike in order to Puma, Neymar reportedly rakes around $25 million in endorsement deals. His other significant sponsorship deals comprise that of Red Bull, REPLAY, GaGa Milano, Pokerstars, Qatar Airways and QNB.
#3 Lionel Messi (US$420 million)
Career span: 2003-Present
After moving in Spain when he was 13, he joined FC Barcelona, for whom he made his first competitive appearance at 17 years old. Lionel Messi gradually established himself as one of the top players around the globe and considered as a one of the great football stickers. In his debut season of continuous play that he played in, the Argentine was instrumental in helping Barcelona to win the European three-peat in 2008/09. At 22 years old at the time, he was awarded the Ballon d’Or for the first time. In 2012, he been awarded the trophy four times in succession Ballons d’Or, making him the first person in history to accomplish this feat. In the decade of 2010, Messi was embroiled in an epic battle against him and his “friend” and on-field rival Cristiano Ronaldo as they had a spotlight to share for over 15 years.
In his capacity as an Argentina international, Messi is both his country’s most popular appearance maker and its all-time most prolific goal scorer. As a young player He was the winner of his first tournament in the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship and later won the Olympic gold medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. However, international silverware at the most prestigious tournaments was not his goal for over a decade, before La Albiceleste finally got their grasp of their first Copa America trophy in 2021.
The leaked details about his former deal with Barcelona and then his new two-year deal with PSG Some Messi supporters might be a bit skeptical that their hero is ranked third on the list, however, he earns around 75 million dollars annually with nearly $55 million from sponsorship deals. This is because Messi is ranked at the top of the most recent Forbes top 10 most-paid athletes list. His major endorsements are Adidas, Pepsi, Lay’s, Gatorade and Budweiser. Messi has been featured as the front cover for the KONAMI’s Pro Evolution Soccer as a Barca player. He also been the cover-star of EA Sports’ FIFA series for four installments between 2013 and the year 2016.
#2 Cristiano Ronaldo (US$490 million)
Career span: 2002-Present
Growing up within Madeira, Cristiano Ronaldo began his career as a senior player with Sporting CP before signing for Manchester United in 2003 aged 18. In the years following, Ronaldo established himself as one of the greatest footballer of all time and top attacking players on the planet helping Sir Alex Ferguson’s Red Devils clinch three consecutive Premier League titles, the 2007-08 UEFA Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup.
Ronaldo won the first Ballon d’Or aged just 23. However, the most memorable moment would be yet to arrive, as the summer move towards Real Madrid in 2009 for the then record-breaking amount of EUR80 million was the catalyst for dramatically altering his fortunes at the team. He was awarded 15 trophies over the course of his career including two LaLiga titles as well as 2 Copas del Rey and four UEFA Champions League titles. He also became the club’s most prolific goal-scorer.
In the year 2018 Ronaldo joined Juventus. The fact that Juventus had Cristiano Ronaldo aboard brought Juventus with optimism. Old Lady with the belief that winning a UEFA Champions League title was at hand. But, it didn’t happen in the manner they wanted. Ronaldo however, helped Juve to win two Serie A titles, two Supercoppe Italiane, and a Coppa Italia title before going back with Manchester United in the summer of 2021.
On the international level, Ronaldo has represented Portugal at a record-breaking 186 times, which makes Portugal’s most captained player. He also has the highest number of scores in international competitions by a female footballer throughout the history of football with the score of 115 goals. Ronaldo was the key player in Portugal’s winning the 2016 European Championship run. Alongside them, he also took home the UEFA Nations League in 2019.
It’s not surprising that it is not surprising that the CR7 brand has seen a massive growth in the past decade. Ronaldo’s endorsement portfolio is as effective a model as you can get to build any brand outside of the preferred sport. In addition to his reported salary of PS500,000 a week from Manchester United, Cristiano has an agreement for life with Nike as well as the other major sponsors include Herbalife, Altice, DAZN Sports as well as MTG. The 37-year old is third on Forbes’ ranking of the top 10 highest-paid athletes in 2022. He earned a staggering US$115 million in the last month, with a whopping US$55 million from endorsement contracts.
Cristiano is also investing in a clinic for hair transplants located in Madrid known as Insparya. In the CR7 company, he owns clothing lines as well as a perfume collection as well as a range of beauty products, as well as a network of fitness centers. The museum he runs is in his home town of Madeira which has an international airport that is named in his honor. With the largest fan base across all the major social media platforms, Cristiano Ronaldo’s brand easily earns him the title of one of the top football players ever.
#1 Faiq Bolkiah (US$20 billion)
Career span: 2020-Present
It may come as shocking to those who don’t follow football closely enough however, for those who are football enthusiasts who love football, the name Faiq Bolkiah has been a household name for quite a long time. He’s not the most famous footballer on the list of top 5 richest footballer in the world until 2019, and there’s no way he has any endorsement agreements however, it is purely due to his love for football that is what makes him a top contender on this list, Faiq Jefri Bolkiah’s wealth is a riot and blows the other players on this list out of water and beyond.
The son of Jefri Bolkiah, the Prince of Brunei and the nephew to Hassanal Bolkiah, the current Sultan of Brunei It is not necessary to say that Faiq is not required to pursue money in his lifetime. He was born in Los Angeles, he holds dual citizenship in both Brunei as well as the US. Although he has not been a part of the Premier League, Faiq spent playing in the academies of Southampton (2009-13), Arsenal (2013-14), Chelsea (2014-15) and Leicester City (2016) during his time in the UK. He signed with Portuguese top-flight team Maritimo this season before moving for Thai club Chonburi in the run-up to next season in 2021-22. He also serves as head of the Brunei national football team.
Although the other people in the list have been working very hard throughout their long careers to establish their brands and build fortunes, one cannot claim that it will require a lot of effort to top the mark set by Faiq Bolkiah’s $20 billion.
So guys that’s is the list of top 10 richest footballers in the world. I know you still won’t accept Faiq Bolkiah ranking at #No 1 but guys this is the truth which you have to accept without any doubt as it is all about the richest footballers.
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