Top 10 Richest Footballers in the World – Soccer Players

The article presents the top 10 richest footballers in the world. (Richest Soccer Players) The famous football athletes in the European leagues are some of the most expensive sport figures in the world. But, how much is their worth? Amazing amounts of money can be transferred in order to own the talents of only one football superstar, and the team managers are creating strategic plans with the club owners to provide the necessary income for their presence in the team. Not just the salary, but you will find out more about the many sponsorships they have acquired over the years if you spare a few minutes to read this article. The amount of money spent on these soccer players is some times far more than the net profits of  billion dollar enterprises. Financially, 2013 was a great year for numerous exciting players such as Messi, Ronaldo and Henry, but is that their only goal? Money is important, but titles are much more valuable. At least that is what they say. What makes the football players so rich? how do these soccer players earn so much amount of money from endorsements? Let us see the reasons and also a brief detail about them.

#1) Cristiano Ronaldo – The Richest Footballer in the World

Net Worth: $208.46 million
Cristiano is the richest Portuguese sportsman with his earnings of more than 200 million dollars. His family recalls the days when he was avoiding dinner and school homework by sneaking out of the window to play soccer with his friends. As one of the fastest kids in his generation, they gave him the nickname – Little Bee. His outstanding performances as a young kid have made him a future as a football player and people knew he would be something extraordinary after he signed with Sporting Portugal. After that, Manchester United recognized his talent and paid $20.5 million to become a Red Devil in 2003. Today, Ronaldo has propelled his career in Real Madrid to be compared with the greatest of this sport with the highest achievements such as winning the Golden Boot, FIFA Player of the year award and he was named the UEFA Club Forward of the Year. He has tackled serious problems in his life, which made him the man he is today. Alcoholic beverages are never an option for Ronaldo because his father, Jose passed away due to alcoholism even if his son was always reminding him to visit a rehab facility. Also, during the 15th year of his life, the doctors diagnosed Ronaldo with racing heart and it was very serious as it could stop him from playing the game of his life.

#2) Lionel Messi

Net Worth: $205.89 million
Winning three European Golden Shoe awards is what makes Messi the best player to ever touch the soccer ball. The admirers of Barcelona and Argentina should be pleased to cheer for such a talent since he realized numerous goals, which many players only can dream of. In addition to the Golden Shoe awards, the excellence in the Champions League, La Liga, and Spanish Super Cup titles in 2009, Lionel has received heaps of praises from  legends such as Maradona: “I see him as very similar to me. He’s a leader and is offering lessons in beautiful football”. Some people thought the Argentinian icon had reached the maximum of his achievements, but 2010 and 2011 were also very great years since he took his team to La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup championships. One of the most recent achievement was with his native country in the World Cup 2014. Lionel’s incredible endeavor has helped Argentina to the Final game, but unfortunately they weren’t holding the World Cup trophy. Ronaldo and Messi are two of the most paralleled players in football history and the battle to be the greatest continues.

 #3) Samuel Eto’o


Net Worth: $119.62 million
How many players you know from Cameroon? Probably not many, but there is one superstar every football fan should be aware of. Samuel has created various problems for the opponents as he is the all-time leading scorer and third most capped player in the history of Cameroon.He grew up as a son of an accountant and he wasn’t struggling as most of the famous athletes, but that doesn’t mean everything was good for him since he was refused from a French club.In the late 1990s, Real Madrid presented him a contract, but they never saw his capabilities before he showcased his expertise in the 2000 and 2002 Africa Cup of Nations when Cameroon won the titles. Everything when upwards from those attainments. Eto’o was ready to play for the football giant – FC Barcelona and they didn’t make a mistake by offering an excellent deal. He helped the team right away as they won a league title in his first year. His fortune wouldn’t be the same without the three-year contract with Anzhi Makhachkala as Samuel became the highest-paid player in 2011. Today, he is an active player in Chelsea F.C.

#4) Wayne Rooney


Net Worth: $117.8 million
The Nike company is especially serious when it comes to their choice of clients and there are certain standards a football player should meet. Rooney is endorsed by Nike and they are delighted to have one of England’s finest. Wayne is well known for his temperamental behavior on and off the football field, but the critics are always on his side as he is one of the youngest players to score in the Premier League. Some people see only anger in Wayne, but the fans of Manchester United are proud to have won four Premier League titles with his help. Probably the most memorable from all of his achievements would be the UEFA Champions League in 2008.Besides playing football professionally, Roney can be seen in a sport gym as a boxer. It is a hobby that he practices whenever he is feeling a lot amount of stress.

#5) Ricardo Kaka – 

Net Worth: $115.3 million
This Brazilian phenomenon is very lucky to play professional football and he is grateful to God every day. When a very bad accident happens and you don’t know if you are going to walk again, prayers are all you have. Kaka has fractured a vertebrae in his neck while having fun in the swimming pool. The doctors weren’t able to predict if he will play football again as it is a very serious injury to a level, which he may be paralyzed for the rest of his life. Eventually, Ricardo has returned to the football field and since that day, the thankful daily prayers never stop. The club AC Milan was the next team to sign Ricardo after Sao Paolo youth club and the first contract’s amount isn’t even close to the skills of the young Brasilian superstar. Even if he had numerous excellent seasons, 2007 is the year everyone will remember because his excellence as he led the team to the Champions League and won Club World Cup titles. The awards don’t stop there since he was the Player of the year, FIFA World Cup Best Player and FIFA World Player of the Year.

 #6) Neymar de Silva Santos Jr.


Net Worth: $112.72 million
When a kid is able to showcase high quality football skills for his generation in Brazil, there is no doubt people will expect so much more in the future. Neymar continues the dominance of the Brazilian football legends and it is a proof that this country will always provide imposing talents. The team Santos has offered a great start withNeymar in 2009 as he was rewarded with the Best Young Player award and win the Copa do Brasil in 2010. Various teams in England were trying to sign Neymar and offer a new home for the star, but he chose to spend five years in Spain and play for FC Barcelona. His latest achievement was in the World Cup 2014 as he was the frontrunner of the Brazilian team and took them to the semifinals. His career is remarkable for more than one reason. Neymar has many endorsements such as Nike, Panasonic and Volkswagen to increase his net worth and take the 6th spot on the Richest Footballers list.

#7) Ronaldo “Ronaldinho” de Assis Moreira

Net Worth: $107.6 million
When it comes to football tricks, Ronaldinho is a true magician with the ball. One of the quickest and most creative players of his era, is also from Brazil and feel free to compare it with any legend in this sport. Maybe Ronaldinho didn’t grow up in a wealthy family as his father is a former football player who worked in a shipyard, and his mother was a cosmetics saleswoman, but he definitely made them rich after the right people have noticed his football skills. You are probably guessing that he was playing in the 2002 World Cup with his native Brazilian team and won the tournament, but the awards such as FIFA World Player of the Year, cannot be forgotten. Being a football genius in Brazil is easy since everyone is playing the sport and their culture is on a phenomenal level. His first European team was Paris Saint-German in 2001, but he was able to take his talents to Spain and play for FC Barcelona in 2003. Today, he is playing for a Brazilian team Atletico Mineiro, but there is no doubt that he was the most valuable in Europe.

#8) Zlatan Ibrahimovic 

Net Worth: $97.2 million
It is maybe unusual for a school bully to achieve many prestigious awards, but Zlatan is one of the few people to earn respect. Born in Sweden, Ibrahimovic made a significant impact on the football culture. The first team to notice his willingness to climb to the top of the mountain, is Malmo FF in 1999, which helped him sign much more serious contract with AFC Ajax. His temperamental attitude was always noticeable by the media, which gave him a chance to release an autobiography. Surprisingly, the book was a bestseller. After Ajax, Zlatan was interested in the Italian teams Juventus and Inter, where he loved playing with Trezeguet and win awards such as the Italian Oscar del Calcio and UEFA Team of the Year awards in 2007 and 2009. Now, you can watch him play for PSG because he signed an extension, which will make him stay in France until 2016.

 #9) Gianluigi Buffon

Net Worth: $88.7 million
Buffon is an established goalkeeper in the football universe and one of the most appreciated players in Italy. It was very convenient for him to play for the Italian team Juventus and progress the most in his career because people will remember Gianluigi as one of the best to guard the goalie net. Juventus made Buffon the most expensive goalkeeper and his achievements proof they didn’t make a mistake. In 2006, Italy was trusting Buffon to lead the team into the FIFA World Cup even when he almost won the Ballon d’Or Award. It is fascinating fact that Buffon was also selected for the World Cup this year, even he isn’t the youngest goalkeeper in the Cup, as he is 36 years old. It confirms the trust the Italians have in this loyal and amazing player.

#10) Thierry Henry

Net Worth: $80.2 million
The Arsenal’s most valuable player is born in France and it is one of the most respected French football players because of the numerous goals he achieved during his career. The fans know him as the gunner from Arsenal since he was an unstoppable force on the field. In 1998, France was celebrating the World Cup in their country, and Henry is mainly responsible for it. But, it is a mystery why Thierry left Europe to play for the New York red Bulls in 2010. Even he is a four-time league scoring champion in the most dominant football league in the world. After he failed to deliver the expected results in the 2006 World Cup, Henry wasn’t able to continue supporting his country on the next one and retired. Apart from taking care of the football career, Thierry is dedicated to numerous charitable events and organizations, which are against racism and social inequality with the foundation “The One 4 All Foundation”
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