Top 10 Richest Football Players as of 2024

Football is the most followed sport in the world and the numbers continue to grow each day. With the evergrowing global and commercial appeal, the sport has turned into a multi-billion dollar industry.

This in turn allows the top footballers to be paid very handsomely. Adding to that the boot deals, merchandise sales, personal brands, brand endorsements, social media and the numbers reach an even crazier level.

The list of the top 10 richest footballers as of 2024 not only contains active players but also a few who have retired from the beautiful game. The list not only contains some of the highest-paid footballers in the world but also players with significant investments in businesses and entertainment.

The 10 Richest Footballers of All Time 

10. Ronaldo Nazario ($160 million)

Kicking off the list is none other than legendary Brazilian striker Ronaldo Nazario. Ronaldo is considered one of the greatest strikers of all time. The now-retired Brazilian star was one of the most technically gifted footballers of all time. He won the FIFA World Cup in 1994 and 2002. The Brazilian striker still remains the youngest recipient of the prestigious Ballon d’Or award (1997), while he won the award again in 2002.

Ronaldo is one of only a few footballers to play for both direct rivals Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, while also playing for both Inter Milan and AC Milan during his playing career. Ronaldo has been serving as a UN goodwill ambassador since 2000. He also owns the Spanish LaLiga club Real Valladolid. 

9. Wayne Rooney ($170 million)

Wayne Rooney is undoubtedly one of the greatest English footballers of all time. After breaking on to the Premier League stage at an early age with Everton, before joining Manchester United and winning every trophy available and becoming the club’s all-time top scorer with 253 goals to his name. Rooney is also the only footballer to record 200 goals and 100 assists in Premier League history. He was also England’s all-time top scorer (53 goals in 120 caps) before the record was broken by Harry Kane.

After his retirement from football, he took up management and has managed MLS club DC United, English side Derby County and Birmingham City. He currently serves as the manager of EFL Championship side Plymouth Argyle FC. 

8. Kylian Mbappe ($180 million)

Image for Kylian Mbappe from Getty

Kylian Mbappe is only one of the few active players on the list. Mbappe really broke through to the entire footballing works when he spearheaded France to the FIFA World Cup in 2018. He is one of the most expensive footballers of all time ($196m) after he joined PSG from fellow Ligue 1 side AS Monaco.

In the summer of 2024, Mbappe finally fulfilled his childhood dream and followed in the footsteps of his idol Cristiano Ronaldo by joining Real Madrid. Mbappe’s net worth was also boosted by the massive signing bonus he received after joining Real Madrid on a free transfer.

The French star and his family are also in talks about buying French second-division football club, Stade Malherbe Caen. 

7. Zlatan Ibrahimovic ($190 million)

Ibrahimovic is one of the best strikers in football history. The Swedish striker played for some of the most famous clubs in the world like Inter Milan, AC Milan, FC Barcelona, Manchester United and PSG, bringing success and trophies everywhere he went.

The self-proclaimed “lion” retired from football on July 4 2023 after AC Milan’s final match of the season against Hellas Verona. Zlatan is the all-time top scorer for the Sweden men’s national football team with 62 goals. He also is part owner of the Swedish top-flight club Hammarby IF. 

6. Neymar Jr ($200 million)

Neymar Jr is one of the most famous Brazilian footballers of all time. Neymar remains one of the silkiest and smoothest footballers in the world. Known for his flair and tricks, Neymar is still the most expensive player in football history after his €222m switch from Barcelona to PSG in 2017.

Now plying his trade in the Saudi Pro League with Al Hilal, Neymar is also the all-time top scorer for the Brazil men’s national football team. His career has taken a setback due to injuries but Neymar still has the largest sponsorship contract in football history (£23million-per-year dea) after he switched from Puma to Nike in 2020. 

5. Dave Whelan ($210 million)

Dave Whelan is a former English footballer, who played for Blackburn Rovers and Crewe Alexandra. Interestingly Whelan played in the 1960 FA Cup final against Wolves but ended up on the losing side. He retired from football in April 1966 to concentrate on his retail grocery business.

He also successfully set up many other business ventures. He is famously the former owner of the English club Wigan Athletic and also served as chairman of the club for 20 years. Whelan bought Wigan Athletic when they were a Division Three team in 1955. He helped the club reach the Premier League and also have a successful eight-year run in the English top division. The club also won the FA Cup after beating Manchester City 1-0 in the final in 2013. His current net worth is $210 million. 

4. David Beckham ($450 million)

Image for David Beckham from Getty

David Beckham is one of the most famous and one of the most recognisable faces in the world of football. Beckham was always in the headlines during his playing career and that has not changed even after his retirement from the beautiful game.

One of the best players of his generation, Beckham won an impressive 19 major trophies in his playing career, featuring for clubs like Manchester United, Real Madrid, PSG, AC Milan and LA Galaxy. He was a big part of Manchester United’s early success during the Premier League era and played a big role in the history treble win in 1999. He is the owner of MLS side Inter Miami. 

3. Cristano Ronaldo ($500 million)

Arguably the face of football, Cristiano Ronaldo is the most followed human on Instagram and has fans worldwide. Ronaldo will go down in history as one of the greatest footballers of all time and possibly the greatest goalscorer of all time. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner played for some of the most legendary and famous clubs in football history like Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus.

Ronaldo is the all-time top scorer in men’s international football, UEFA Champions League and has a record 895 goals for club and country in his senior career.

Ronaldo has a lifetime contract with Nike, while his current contract with Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr is worth a reported €200 million per season. The Portuguese superstar also owns many businesses, his CR7 brand produces a wide range of products like clothing, eyewear, footwear, fragrances and more. He also owns a chain of hotels and restaurants. Ronaldo’s net worth only looks to skyrocket in the upcoming years. 

2. Lionel Messi ($600 million)

Image for Lionel Messi from Getty

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is one of the best footballers in history. Messi currently plays in the Major League Soccer for Inter Miami. The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner is now also the most decorated footballer in history with 45 trophies to his name.

Messi has a lifetime contract with Addidas, while he also has endorsement deals with brands like Pepsi and Lays. He also owns the ‘Messi store’ and ‘MIM Hotels’. He is the second-richest footballer in the world, with a net