Who are the richest soccer players in the world?
Soccer is a very lucrative sport played in over 200 countries around the world. With over 250 million people playing the sport, soccer is now one of the most watched sports.
Considering his popularity, there is no doubt that many footballers have managed to grab contracts worth millions of dollars with certain sports associations and renowned teams.
As you read this, you probably already have in mind the names that will appear on the list of the richest footballers.
Let's jump straight to it and find out in this article.
Contents
The 20 richest soccer players in the world
Below are the 20 richest footballers of all time. We used data from Celebrity Net Worth, Forbes and The Richest to create this compilation:
20. Rio Ferdinand
Net worth:75 million dollars
Rio Ferdinand is an English footballer who played as a central defender for Manchester United in the Premier League.
Ferdinand collected a total of 81 caps for England and was a member of three FIFA World Cup squads. He was born in Peckham and attended Blackheath Bluecoat School. Ferdinand has over 2.5 million followers on social media.
As of May 2023, Rio Ferdinand net worth is estimated at $75 million.
19. Willian
Net worth:75 million dollars
Willian is a Brazilian professional footballer who started his career in 2006. In his first season at Corinthians, he made five league appearances and had a breakthrough in consecutive campaigns, scoring twice in 29 appearances for the club.
Willian's net worth is estimated to be around $75 million in 2022.
18. Arjen Robben
Net worth:
Arjen Robben is a Dutch professional footballer who started playing football when he was a child. Robben later joined Bedum's youth system. He started playing at professional level in 2000 when he started playing for FC Groningen.
From May 2023Arjen Robben's net worthhe has $80 million, making him the 18th richest soccer player in the world.
17. Sergio Ramos
Net worth:80 million dollars
Sergio Ramos is a professional soccer player from Camas. He is a central defender and currently plays for Spain and Real Madrid. Ramos participated in two European Championships and two World Championships, winning two European Championships and 1 World Championship.
From May 2023Sergio Ramos nettoformueis approximately 80 million dollars.
16.Andres Iniesta
Net worth:86 million dollars
Andres Iniesta is a Spanish professional footballer who started his career when he joined Albacete's youth team at the age of 10. In 1999, Iniesta led Barcelona's U15 team to victory in the Nike Premier Cup and was named player of the said tournament.
Andres Iniesta's net worth is estimated at $86 million in 2022, making him the 16th richest soccer player in the world.
15. Ronaldinho
Net worth:90 million dollars
Ronaldinhois a Brazilian footballer who currently plays for Flamengo and the Brazil national team. He is considered one of the best players of his generation. He is best known for his overhead kicks, free kicks and dribbling.
As of May 2023, Ronaldinho's net worth is approximately $90 million.
14. Zlatan Ibrahimović
Net worth:90 million dollars
Zlatan Ibrahimovicis a Swedish footballer of Bosnian-Croat descent. Barcelona paid a $94 million transfer fee to Inter Milan in 2009 for the rights to Ibrahimović, the second highest ever transfer fee.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic's net worth is around $90 million, making him the 14th richest soccer player in the world.
13. Didier Drogba
Net worth:90 million dollars
Didier Drogbahe played for Chelsea in the Premier League where he was alternate vice-captain. The Ivorian striker is Cheals' best ever foreign player, a success that has rewarded him with a £105,000-a-week contract.
As of May 2023, Didier Drogba's net worth is estimated to be around 90 million USD.
12. Samuel Eto
Net worth:95 million dollars
Samuel Eto is a professional footballer who currently plays as a striker for Turkish club Konyaspor. Eto is the most successful African footballer of all time and a four-time winner of the African Player of the Year award.
As of May 2023, Samuel Eto's net worth is estimated at $95 million.
11. Kaka
Net worth:95 million dollars
Kakais a Brazilian football midfielder who plays for Sao Paulo FC. He studied at Colegio Batista Brasileiro and started his football career at the age of 8. The football star also played tennis and it wasn't until he moved to Sao Paulo FC at the age of 12 and signed his first contract with the club that he decided to focus on football.
Kaka's net worth is around $95 million, making him the 11th richest soccer player on the list.
10.Eden Random
Net worth:100 million dollars
Eden Hazard is a Belgian professional footballer who started his football career at the age of 4. He spent eight years at Royal Stade Brainois before moving to Tubize.
From May 2023Eden Hazard net worthhe is estimated to be worth around $100 million, making him the tenth richest soccer player in the world.
9. First
Net worth:100 million dollars
Pele was born Edison Arantes do Nascimento. Pele is a retired footballer with an incredible net worth and is considered by many fans, players and pundits as one of the greatest footballers of all time.
Pele's net worth is approximately $100 million.
8. Francesca Tottiego
Net worth:101.6 million dollars
Francesco Totti is an Italian professional soccer player who started joining the Fortitudo youth soccer team when he was 8 years old. Totti won recognition as young player of the year in the 1998-1999 season. A year later, he was named "Italian Footballer of the Year" and was nominated for the Golden Ball.
As of May 2023, Francesco Totti's net worth is $101.6 million, making him the eighth richest soccer player in the world.
7. Garetha Bale'a
Net worth:125 million dollars
Gareth Bale currently plays for Real Madrid's La Liga Club and is also a winger for the Wales national team. Bale is known for his impressive left foot, speed and physicality. He was voted PFA 'Player of the Year' and in 2011 was named in the UEFA Team of the Year.
Gareth Bale's net worth is approximately $125 million, making him the 12th richest footballer in the world.
6. Wayne'a Rooneya
Net worth:145 million dollars
Wayne Rooney is an English footballer who played as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team. According to a 2012 study by France Football of the highest paid footballers in the world, Rooney is ranked fifth in the world and first in England.
Wayne Rooney net worthis approximately $145 million.
5. Aleksandra Pato
Net worth: $145 million
Alexandre Pato began his career at the age of 16 and later joined Sports Club Internacional to compete for the Campeonato Brasileiro Sub 20. In 2006, Pato led the team to win the FIFA Club World Cup.
As of May 2023, Alexandre Pato's net worth is estimated at $145 million, making him the fifth richest soccer player in the world.
4. Dave'a Whelana
Net worth: $220 million
Dave'aWhelan is a former English footballer. During his football career he played for Blackburn Rovers and Crewe Alexandra. Whelan is the owner of Football League Championship club Wigan Athletic.
Dave Whelan's net worth is estimated at approximately $220 million.
3. Lionel Messi
Net worth:400 million dollars
Lionel Messi's status as the best player in the world is beginning to translate into accolades. Nicknamed "The Flea" because of his small height, Messi is the best soccer player in the world. He was named player of the year in the last two seasons.
From May 2023Lionel Messi Net Worthhe has approximately $400 million, making him the third richest soccer player on the list.
2. David Beckham
Net worth:450 million dollars
David Beckham is a retired professional soccer player. He is known as the first English footballer to win the league title in four different countries. Beckham spent 20 years playing football and in 2004 was voted the highest paid football player.
David Beckham net worthis approximately $450 million.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo
Net worth:450 million dollars
Cristiano Ronaldo is a Portuguese football player and is known as the best football player of all time. In 2009, Cristiano Ronaldo joined Real Madrid from Manchester United for a transfer fee of $132 million, making him the most expensive player in the history of the sport.
From May 2023Cristiano Ronaldo net worthhe is estimated to be worth $450 million, making him the richest soccer player in the world.
Resumé
Here is a quick overview of the 20 richest soccer players in the world:
- Cristiano Ronaldo
- David Beckham
- Lionel Messi
- Dave'a Whelana
- Aleksandra Pato
- Wayne'a Rooneya
- Garetha Bale'a
- Francesca Tottiego
- First
- Ed Random
- Kaka
- Samuel Eto
- Didier Drogba
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic
- Ronaldinho
- Andres Iniesta
- Sergio Ramos
- Arjena Robben
- Williana
- Rio Ferdinand