It is undeniable that the game of football is a very lucrative sport in the world today which is why we have compiled a list of the richest footballers in the world of football for the year 2022.
With revenue being generated for these players from their wages to sponsorships and other sorts of investment like owning a football club the names of footballers on this list possess the right amount that in terms of their net worth to earn a spot on this list.
Who Are The Richest Footballers In The World?
8. Eden Hazard
Net Worth: 100 Million Dollars
The current Real Madrid star holds the number 9 position on our list as it is estimated that he is worth a whopping sum of 100 million dollars. After his long-term spell at Chelsea, the Belgian player rose to the limelight, which saw him make a record-breaking move worth 100 million points to Real Madrid.
He is estimated to earn a whopping amount of 416,000 pounds per week at the Madrid side; he also has brand endorsement deals with Nike, Topps, Lotus Bakeries, Beats, and Sina Sports.
In June of 2017, Eden Hazard became one of the founders of the North American Soccer League franchise San Diego 1904 with Demba Ba, which was later absorbed in December 2021 by Albion San Diego.
8. Pele
Net Worth: 100 Million Dollars
Born Edison Arantes do Nascimento but popularly known as Pele; he has always been an influential figure in football history, which is why football lovers can not ignore his relevance to the game of football to date. He is worth an estimated amount of 100 million dollars to date, even as a retired star.
7. Francesco Totti
Net Worth: $101.6 Million
Francesco Totti was an Italian professional football player that played for AS Roma at the club level for three decades, which was where he spent most of his time as a footballer on a club level. The midfield maestro was a very influential figure in the world of Italian football. He bagged the “Serie A Italian Footballer of the Year” award in 2000 and 2001, respectively, before receiving his nomination for Ballon d’Or in 2000 as well.
The legend had brand endorsement deals from businesses like Nike, Diadora, Pepsi, EA Sports, Pro Evolution Soccer, and the online poker firm Party Poker. He has also made occasional movie and television appearances. His earnings from his engagements and salaries were around $100 million.
According to wealth gorilla, as of 2022, the Italian has an estimated net worth of $101.6 million, making him the 8th richest soccer player in the world.
6. Gareth Bale
Net Worth: $125 Million
Aside from earning a staggering 17 million euros per year, the Real Madrid star and Wales captain Gareth Bale also earns an enormous sum off endorsements. It was revealed that he signed a mouth-watering deal with Adidas in 2014 that guaranteed 24 million euros per year, and, according to Marca, he is still earning that amount to date. According to Mirror UK, the Welsh forward makes a whopping amount of $185,000 per sponsored post on his Instagram platform and money from his branded goal celebration logo that he sells on merchandise.
He also earns a staggering $11m a year from endorsements he has with companies like Nissan, Konami, EA Sports, Foot Locker, BT Sport and Lucozade.
5. Wayne Rooney
Net Worth: $145 Million
The former player turned coach of Derby County, Wayne Rooney, holds the number 6 position on this list, according to wealth gorilla.
The former England player is estimated to earn £4.6 million annually from brand endorsements, including Nike and Samsung.
He made six consecutive appearances on the EA Sports game series FIFA editions, from FIFA 06 to FIFA 12.
5. Alexandre Pato
Net Worth: $145 Million
The Brazilian maestro also holds the number six position on this list.
According to dailystar the current Orlando City star in the MLS league has made a whooping amount from investments, measurable property holdings, and also the lucrative endorsement deals with CoverGirl cosmetics.
The 32-year-old Brazilian also owns a chain of burger restaurants in Brasilia, a vodka brand, and a fashion line.
4. Dave Whelan
Net Worth: $220 Million
Dave Whelan hold the number four position on this list. The former English player is the current owner of the Football league Championship club Wigan Athletic.
3. Lionel Messi
Net Worth: $400 Million
The current PSG star holds the number three position on this list, according to goal.com Messi is estimated to be earning from 35 million to 40 million dollars on his new contract at PSG.
The superstar also has brand endorsement deals that includes a lifetime contract with Adidas, an NFT partnership, Gillette, Turkish Airlines, Lays, SikSilk, Leafty, Jacob & Co., Gatorade, and Pepsi endorsement deals.
2. David Beckham
Net Worth: $450 Million
According to the Sun, David Beckham is speculated to be earning around £29 million in dividends from his company DB Ventures Limited. He is also a co-owner of an MLS club by the name of Inter Miami.
The English man also has brand endorsement deals with clothing retailer H&M, Tudor watches and Haig Club whisky. There are other endorsement deals he has been a part of, including Breitling, Sainsbury’s, Armani, Gillette, AIA Group and PepsiCo.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo
Net Worth: $500 Million
The Portuguese and Manchester United forward holds the number one position on this list. According to goal.com, Ronaldo earns a whopping $27 million a year at Manchester United.
He also has brand endorsement deals with companies such as Nike, Armani, Tag Heuer, Egyptian Steel, Herbalife, Italia Independent, Clear, PokerStars, Castrol, LiveScore, MEO, ZujuGP, Crunch, Uniecampus, Therabody and Clear.
He also has his clothing line with a chain of hotels named Pestana CR7 – in Portugal: one in the capital, Lisbon, and another in Funchal, his hometown on the island of Madeira.
In March 2019, Ronaldo also launched a hair transplant clinic in Spain called Insparya.
