Football world is a very lucrative sport that is played in over 200 countries worldwide. With more than 250 million people playing this sport, football is also one of the most watched sports nowadays, laying emphasis on the numerous European competitions that interest fans all over the world. To mention a few; The number one football competition FIFA World Cup, the number one club football competition UEFA Champions League, and the European Top 5 leagues: English Premier League (which is the most watched league in the world), Spanish LaLiga Santader, Italian Serie A, German Bundesliga and French Ligue 1.
Given its popularity, there’s no doubt that many footballers were able to snatch millions of dollar worth of contracts with some sports associations and renowned teams. As you’re reading this, you probably already have names popping up in your head as to who will appear on the list of the richest soccer players. But the surprising fact about the list is that Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi misses out in the top two as his main rival Cristiano Ronaldo retains his position.
Let’s get straight into it and find this out in this article. Below are the 20 richest soccer players of all time. We’ve used figures from Celebrity Net Worth, Forbes and The Richest to create this compilation:
20. Rio Ferdinand Net Worth: $75 Million
Rio Ferdinand is an English footballer and has played as a center back for Manchester United in the Premier League. Ferdinand has amassed 81 caps for England in total and has been a member of three FIFA World Cups Squads. He is born in Peckham and attended Blackheath Bluecoat School. Ferdinand has over 2.5 million followers on social media. As of 2019, Rio Ferdinand’s net worth is estimated to be $75 Million dollars.
19. Willian Net Worth: $75 Million
Willian is a Brazilian professional football player, who started his career in 2006. During his first season with the team Corinthians, he made five league appearances and breakthroughs in the following campaigns where he scored twice in 29 matches for the club. Willian’s net worth is approximately estimated to be $75 Million, as of 2019.
18. Arjen Robben Net Worth: $80 Million
Arjen Robben is a Dutch professional football player, who began playing football when he was a kid. Robben later joined in the youth system of Bedum. He began playing at a professional level in 2000 when started to play for the team, FC Groningen. As of 2019, Arjen Robben’s net worth is $80 Million dollars making him the 18th richest soccer player in the world.
17. Sergio Ramos Net Worth: $80 Million
Sergio Ramos is a professional football player from Camas. He is a central defender, and he currently plays for Spain and Real Madrid. Ramos has participated in two European Championships and two World Cups, and he has also won two European championships and 1 World Cup. As of 2019, Sergio Ramos’ net worth is roughly $80 Million dollars.
16. Andres Iniesta Net Worth: $86 Million
Andres Iniesta is a Spanish professional football player who began his career when he joined the Albacete youth squad at the age of 10. In 1999, Iniesta led the Barcelona Under-15 team to the win in the Nike Premier Cup and was named the player of the said tournament. Andres Iniesta’s net worth is estimated to be $86, Million, as of 2019, making him the 16th richest soccer player in the world.
15. Ronaldinho Net Worth: $90 Million
Ronaldinho is a Brazilian footballer who currently plays for Flamengo and the Brazilian national team. He is considered to be one of the best football players of his generation. He is best noted for his overhead kicks, free kicks pass, and dribbling. As of 2019, Ronaldinho’s net worth is roughly $90 Million dollars.
14. Zlatan Ibrahimovic Net Worth: $90 Million
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a Swedish footballer of Bosnian and Croatian descent. Barcelona paid a $94 million transfer fee to Inter Milan in 2009 for the rights to Ibrahimovic, which was the second-highest transfer fee of all time. Zlatan Ibrahimovic net worth is approximately $90 Million, making him the 14th richest soccer player in the world.
13. Didier Drogba Net Worth: $90 Million
Didier Drogba has played for Chelsea in the Premier League, where he was deputy vice-captain. The Ivory Coast striker is Chelsea’s top scoring overseas player of all time, a success that rewarded him with a£105,000 a week contract. As of 2019, Didier Drogba’s net worth is estimated to be roughly $90 Million dollars.
12. Samuel Eto Net Worth: $95 Million
Samuel Eto is a professional footballer who currently plays as a striker for the Qatar club Qatar SC. Eto is the most decorated African player of all time, and he is a four-time winner of the African Player of the Year award. As of 2019, Samuel Eto’s net worth is estimated to be $95 Million dollars.
11. Kaka Net Worth: $95 Million
Kaka is a Brazilian football midfielder who plays for Sao Paulo FC. He studied at Colegio Batista Brasileiro, and he began his football career at the age of 8. The football star also played tennis, and it was not until he moved on to Sao Paulo FC and signed his first contract with the club at the age of 15 that he chose to focus on football. Kaka’s net worth is roughly $95 Million, making him the 11th richest soccer player on the list.
10. Eden Hazard Net Worth: $100 Million
Eden Hazard is a Belgian professional football player who started his football career at the age of 4. He spent eight years with the Royal Stade Brainois and then transferred to Tubize. As of 2019, Eden Hazard’s net worth is estimated to be roughly $100 Million dollars, making him the 10th richest soccer player in the world.
9. Pele Net Worth: $100 Million
Pele was born as Edison Arantes do Nascimento. Pele is a retired football player with an incredible net worth, and he is considered by many fans, players, and experts as among the best football players of all time. Pele’s net worth is approximately $100 Million dollars.
8. Francesco Totti Net Worth: $101.6 Million
Francesco Totti is an Italian professional football player, who started to join Fortitudo football youth team when he was 8 years old. Totti gained recognition as Young Footballer of the Year during the 1998-1999 season. One year later, he was named as the “Italian Footballer of the Year” and received his nomination for Ballon d’Or. As of 2019, Francesco Totti’s net worth is $101.6 Million dollars, making him the 8th richest soccer player in the world.
7. Gareth Bale Net Worth: $125 Million
Gareth Bale is currently playing for Real Madrid of the La Liga Club and is also the winger of the Welsh national team. Bale is known for his impressive left foot, speed, and physical qualities. He was named as the PFA Players ‘Players of the Year’ and in 2011, he was named as the UEFA Team of the Year. Gareth Bale’s net worth is approximately $125 Million, making him the 7th richest soccer player in the world.
6. Wayne Rooney Net Worth: $145 Million
Wayne Rooney is an English footballer who played as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team. According to the 2012 France Football survey of the world’s best-paid players, Rooney is ranked fifth in the world and No.1 in England. Wayne Rooney’s net worth is roughly $145 Million dollars.
5. Alexandre Pato Net Worth: $145 Million
Alexandre Pato began his career at the age of 16, and he was later on signed up by 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 2019, Alexandre Pato’s net worth is estimated to be $145 Million, making him the 5th richest soccer player in the world.
4. Dave Whelan Net Worth: $220 Million
Dave Whelan is an English former 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 to be roughly $220 Million dollars.
3. Lionel Messi Net Worth: $400 Million
Lionel Messi’s status as the world’s best player has started to translate into endorsement opportunities. Messi is nicknamed “The Flea” for his diminutive stature, Messi is the world’s best soccer player. He has also been voted as the player of the year over the past two seasons. As of 2019, Lionel Messi’s net worth is approximately $400 Million dollars, making him the 3rd richest soccer player on the list.
2. David Beckham Net Worth: $450 Million
David Beckham is a retired professional football player. He is known to be the first English footballer to become a league title holder in four different countries. Beckham spent 20 years playing football, and in 2004 he was named the highest paid football player. David Beckham’s net worth is roughly $450 Million dollars.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo Net Worth: $450 Million
Cristiano Ronaldo is a Portuguese footballer, and he is known for being the best footballer of all time. In 2009, Cristiano Ronaldo joined Real Madrid from Manchester United for a transfer fee of $132 million, which made him the most expensive soccer player in the history of the sport. As of 2019, Cristiano Ronaldo’s net worth is estimated to be $450 Million dollars, making him the richest soccer player in the world.
Summary
Here’s a quick recap of the 20 richest soccer players in the world:
- Cristiano Ronaldo
- David Beckham
- Lionel Messi
- Dave Whelan
- Alexandre Pato
- Wayne Rooney
- Gareth Bale
- Francesco Totti
- Pele
- Eden Hazard
- Kaka
- Samuel Eto
- Didier Drogba
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic
- Ronaldinho
- Andres Iniesta
- Sergio Ramos
- Arjen Robben
- Willian
- Rio Ferdinand