Top 10 richest footballers in the world 2019 & their net worth

Football (soccer) as one of the most watched sports pays huge sums of money to players. Here are the top 10 wealthiest footballers in the world right now.

1. Faiq Bolkiah (Leicester City)
Pay: $1,000 per week
Total Net Worth: $20 billion
Club: Leicester City
National team: Brunei 
Position: Midfielder 
Age: 21
Other Forms of Income: Royal wealth and inheritance

It should come as no surprise that faiq is top on this list. He is currently not on a profitable contract, and of course this rich player is actually the son of Jefri Bolkiah, Prince of Brunei and the nephew of Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah.(not surprising at all)

2. Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)
Pay: $710,000 per week
Total Net Worth: $450 million
National Team: Portugal
Position: Attacker
Age: 34
Other Forms of Income: Sponsorship, CR7 brand, and business ventures

Portuguese national team captain Ronaldo might be entering the twilight years of his career but he still rakes in an estimated $100 million every year through his wages, bonuses and endorsements. The man is a brand in his own right.

3. Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

Pay: $645,000 per week
Total Net Worth: $400 million
Club: Barcelona
National Team: Argentina Position: Attacker
Age: 32
Other Forms of Income: Sponsorships and brand revenue.

One of the most valuable footballers in the world, messi, has a spot in this list with $400 million. The Argentine footballer has become one of the most resourceful players of all-time. Despite not being quite as commercially driven as his rival, Ronaldo, Messi has still amassed a huge fortune.
Despite not being quite as commercially driven as his rival, Ronaldo, Messi has still amassed a huge fortune.

 4. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (LA Galaxy)
Pay: $26,000 per week
Total Net Worth: $190 million
Club: Los Angeles Galaxy
National Team: Sweden (now retired from international football)
Position: Striker
Age: 31
Other Forms of Income: Sponsorships, brand revenue and music.

The controversial journeyman is probably this high on the list due to the amount of money he has earned in signing-on feeshaving played for nine clubs in a 19 year career so far.

The former Swedish international striker earns a reported $1.56 million each year at LA Galaxy in the MLS. His tendency to produce arrogant sound bites and become embroiled in controversies has made him highly attractive as a marketing tool which has helped strengthen his commercial portfolio.

5. Neymar (PSG)      

Pay: $775,000 per week

Total Net Worth: $185 million

Club: PSG

National Team: Brazil

Position: Forward

Age: 27

Other Forms of Income: Sponsorships, brand revenue, and media work

Brazilian footballers are often leading the way when it comes to attracting the big endorsements. PSG striker Neymar has some lucrative endorsements with Nike and Beats by Dre have helped compile a net worth of $140 million.

As one of the highest earners in world football and his role as the darling of Brazilian football it means Neymar still has a lot more money to add to his bankroll yet. His world transfer record of €222 million from Barcelona to PSG in 2017 certainly helped this wealth but the player denies the move was motivated by money.

6. Gareth Bale (Real Madrid)
 
Pay: $457,000 per week
Total Net Worth: $110 million
Club: Real Madrid
National Team: Wales
Position: Forward/Winger
Age: 29
Other Forms of Income:
Sponsorships, brand revenue, business and property portfolio.

After the departure of Ronaldo to Juventus, Welsh wizard Bale was told by Real Madrid President Florentino Perez that he was the man the club would be built around for the 2018/19 season. So far, that appears to be true.

Bale has led by example. His new role as talisman for the La Liga club has helped him to increase his net worth to $110 million. No doubt his record breaking £100 million transfer from Tottenham to Real Madrid back in 2013 contributed to that value. You will also struggle to count the number of endorsements he is involved in with big brand names including Adidas, EA Sports, and Lucozade.

7. Wayne Rooney (DC United)
Pay: $52,000 per week
Total Net Worth: $100 million
Club: DC United
National Team: England (now retired from international football)
Position: Forward/Midfielder
Age: 33
Other Forms of Income:Sponsorships

Former Manchester United forward Rooney has etched his name in the history books as the record scorer for both the Red Devils and the England national team at club and international level respectively.

The talented front man was earning £150,000 per week when he was a teenager at Everton back in 2004. That wage doubled to £300,000 at United and he’s been watching the money rolling in ever since. An estimated wealth of $145 million can largely be attributed to his reputation as being one of the greatest goal scorers in the history of football. He continues to earn his millions playing in the MLS for DC United.

8. Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
Pay: $264,000 per week
Total Net Worth: $100 million
Club: Chelsea
National Team: Belgium
Position: Winger/Attacking Midfielder
Age: 28
Other Forms of Income: Sponsorships, brand revenue, and business ventures

Chelsea creative midfielder, Hazard, has long been touted as one of the best players in the world but has always just fallen behind the elite group that have swept up the international awards.

Still, the Belgian international enjoyed a stunning 2018 World Cup and his form at club level continues to impress making him a popular choice with commercial brands. His net worth is estimated to be valued at $100 million with endorsements varying from brand giants such as Nike to the smaller brands like Lotus Bakeries.

9. Paul Pogba (Manchester United)
Pay: $383,000 per week
Total Net Worth: $85 million
Club: Manchester United
National Team: France
Position: Midfielder
Age: 26
Other Forms of Income: Sponsorships, media work and brand revenue

World Cup winner Pogba is one of the shining examples of the soccer world where players identify themselves as a brand in their own right. The Manchester United midfielder came to international acclaim due to his performances with Juventus and France.

The French international has since marketed himself very effectively resulting in multi-million dollar sponsorship deals with the likes of Adidasand close affiliations with the EA Sports FIFA series.

10. Alexis Sanchez (Manchester united)
Pay: $462,000 per week
Total Net Worth: $50 million
Club: Manchester United
National Team: Chile
Position: Attacking Midfielder
Age: 30
Other Forms of Income: Sponsorships

It feels like Sanchez has been around forever. The Chilean international was a big name on the world stage when he transferred to Barcelona from Udinese back in 2011. Ever since then, the Manchester United attacking maestro has gone from strength-to-strength.

His transfer from Barcelona to Arsenal saw him earn a fortune but it was his move to the Red Devils in 2018 that saw him become one of the highest paid players in world soccer. As brand ambassador of Chinese telecommunications firm Huawei and a wealthy sponsorship with Pepsi, Sanchez has gone on to become one of the richest players in the game.