The 8 Richest Footballers of All Time

As one of the most lucrative sports globally, football players can earn huge wages - but who are the richest footballers of all time?

Let’s take a look at the 8 richest footballers of all time, including football legends and savvy businessmen.

1. Faiq Bolkiah

• Net worth: $20 billion
• He’s a member of the Bruneian royal family
• He currently plays in Thai League 1

Faiq Bolkiah has a net worth of $20 billion in 2024, making him the richest football player in the world.

Bolkiah is a member of Brunei's royal family, as he’s the son of Brunei's Prince Jefri Bolkiah and his uncle, Hassanal Bolkiah, is the Sultan of an oil-rich kingdom.

Bolkiah was born in Los Angeles and holds dual citizenship in both Brunei and the United States.

He currently plays for Ratchaburi FC in Thai League 1, and he’s also played for Chelsea, Arsenal and Reading, as well as the Bruneian national team.

2. Mathieu Flamini

• Net worth: $12.6 billion
• He’s played for Arsenal, AC Milan and Marseille
• He’s now a climate change activist and entrepreneur

The ex-Arsenal man didn’t make all his bucks from football. Although a successful player, his money was made outside of the beautiful game.

Flamini is the co-owner of GF Biochemicals, a company that produces levulinic acid, a molecule made from plant waste that can be a substitute for petrol. He runs the company with his partner, Pasquale Granata.

This is how he made his fortune - and he’s a true testament to what footballers can do off the pitch!

3. Cristiano Ronaldo

• Net worth: $600 million
• He’s played for Manchester United and Real Madrid
• He’s famous for sponsorship deals with brands like Nike

The Real Madrid great Cristiano Ronaldo has a net worth of $600 million, making him the world's third-richest footballer as of 2024.

Ronaldo is a world-renowned footballer, representing Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus. He’s now playing for the Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr.

In 2016, he signed a $1 billion lifetime deal with Nike, as well as working with brands like Coca-Cola to make money alongside his football career.

4. Lionel Messi

• Net worth: $550 million
• Until 2021, he spent his entire career at FC Barcelona
• He’s won numerous awards, including a record eight Ballon d’Or awards

Lionel Messi is the world's fourth-richest soccer player, with an estimated fortune of $550 million as of 2024.

He first began his professional football career with the Barcelona C and Barcelona B clubs before moving up to the first team.

Winning his first World Cup in 2022, Messi’s football style is uncannily similar to the late Diego Maradona - including exceptional goal-scoring instincts and dribbling skills.

Considered one of the most marketable athletes in the world, Messi is sponsored by several brands, including Gatorade, Adidas, Mastercard and Pepsi.

5. David Beckham

• Net worth: $400 million
• Beckham played for clubs like Manchester United and Real Madrid
• He’s signed lucrative sponsorship deals with brands like Adidas and Armani

David Beckham is one of the most famous footballers in the world - and he’s the fifth-richest footballer in the world.

Signing deals with brands like Adidas, Armani and H&M helped him amass his fortune - and he also played for world-class teams like Manchester United and Real Madrid during his football career.

He’s created his own range of products and he’s known for his lucrative real estate investments, including collaborations with developers. He knows what he’s doing on and off the pitch!

6. Dave Whelan

• Net worth: $210 million
• He played for the Blackburn Rovers and Crewe Alexandra
• He turned to business after his short-lived football career, founding JJB Sports

Dave Whelan played for the Blackburn Rovers and Crewe Alexandra in the 1950s and 1960s - but after a career-ending injury, he turned to business.

He founded the sports retail chain JJB Sports in the 1970s, eventually selling his stake for £190 million in 2007.

Whelan has also invested in a range of other companies, using his business skills to further his fortune off the pitch.

7. Neymar

• Net worth: $200 million
• Known as one of the greatest players of all time
• He’s signed numerous brand deals, including sponsorships with Nike and Red Bull

Brazilian football player Neymar is the seventh-richest footballer as of 2024.

He earned a record transfer fee of €222 million when he transferred from FC Barcelona to PSG in 2017 - and he’s also signed brand sponsorship deals with companies like Red Bull and Nike.

Neymar still plays for the Brazil national team and he regularly invests in entrepreneurial pursuits to earn money off the pitch, too.

8. Zlatan Ibrahimovic

• Net worth: $190 million
• He played for European clubs like FC Barcelona and PSG
• He’s signed multiple brand sponsorship deals, including Samsung and Volvo

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the Swedish magician, has a net worth of approximately $190 million as of 2024, making him the world's eighth-wealthiest soccer player - and he’s widely regarded as one of Sweden’s greatest players.

Ibrahimovic played for clubs like AC Milan, FC Barcelona and PSG, as well as the Swedish national team.

Ibrahimovic’s physical qualities make him one of the top goalscorers in football history - and he has frustrated many great defenders during his career, spanning six leagues.

Ibrahimovic has signed endorsement deals with Nike, Microsoft Xbox, Nivea, Samsung and Volvo.

The Richest Footballers of All Time

Most of these players have played in the Premier League, Serie A, or La Liga, among the richest sports leagues in the world. Let’s see who overtakes them in the coming years ahead; a certain Jude Bellingham might have a say in the long run!