Top 15 Richest Footballers in the World 2024

Football is the most popular sport all over the world. This is an entertaining game played between two teams of 11 players each. More than 200 countries now have their own football team, and several sportsmen, such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, have become well-known in this sport. Aside from that, this game makes soccer players globally famous and wealthy as celebrities.

In this piece, we will look at the top ten richest football players in the world based on their net worth in 2023. Let’s get started with the topic, and please leave your thoughts in the comments section.

Top 15 Richest Footballers in the World 2024

1. Lionel Messi – $400 million

Lionel Messi is an Argentine professional football player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time. He was born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina. Messi started playing football at a young age and joined the youth team of FC Barcelona at the age of 13. He made his debut for the senior team in 2004 and quickly established himself as one of the best players in the world.

Messi has won numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, including seven Ballon d’Or titles, which is a record in the history of the award. He has also won many team trophies with FC Barcelona, including ten La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey titles, and four UEFA Champions League titles. In August 2021, he left Barcelona after his contract expired and joined Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on a free transfer.

Messi is known for his incredible skills on the pitch, including his speed, dribbling, and goal-scoring ability. He has scored over 700 career goals and is the all-time top scorer for both FC Barcelona and the Argentina national team. Outside of football, Messi is involved in various philanthropic efforts, including the Leo Messi Foundation, which supports children in need around the world.

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2. Cristiano Ronaldo – $350 million

Cristiano Ronaldo is a Portuguese professional football player who is widely considered one of the greatest footballers of all time. He was born on February 5, 1985, on the island of Madeira, Portugal. Ronaldo began his football career playing for Sporting CP’s youth teams before joining Manchester United in 2003. He quickly established himself as a star player and helped the team win multiple trophies, including three Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League.

In 2009, Ronaldo transferred to Real Madrid for a then-world record transfer fee of €94 million. During his time at Real Madrid, he became the club’s all-time leading goal scorer and helped the team win four UEFA Champions League titles. In 2018, Ronaldo transferred to Juventus for a transfer fee of €100 million.

Ronaldo has won numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, including five Ballon d’Or titles, four European Golden Shoes, and numerous team trophies with Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus. He has scored over 700 career goals and is the second all-time top scorer for the Portugal national team. Ronaldo is known for his incredible speed, dribbling, and goal-scoring ability, and is considered one of the most marketable athletes in the world due to his success on the pitch and his large social media following.

3. Neymar Jr. – $220 million

Neymar Jr. is a Brazilian professional football player who currently plays as a forward for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and the Brazil national team. He was born on February 5, 1992, in Mogi das Cruzes, Brazil. Neymar began his professional football career playing for Santos in Brazil before moving to Barcelona in 2013.

At Barcelona, Neymar formed a formidable attacking trio with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, helping the team win numerous trophies, including two La Liga titles and the UEFA Champions League. In 2017, Neymar transferred to PSG for a world-record transfer fee of €222 million, where he has since won several domestic titles.

Neymar has won numerous individual awards throughout his career, including the FIFA Puskas Award for the best goal of the year, the FIFA World Cup Bronze Ball, and the UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season. He has also won several team trophies, including the Copa America and Olympic Gold Medal with the Brazil national team.

Neymar is known for his exceptional dribbling skills, speed, and creativity on the pitch. He is also one of the most marketable athletes in the world and has several high-profile endorsement deals with companies such as Nike, Red Bull, and McDonald’s.

4. Zlatan Ibrahimovic – $190 million

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a Swedish professional football player who currently plays as a striker for AC Milan in the Italian Serie A and the Sweden national team. He was born on October 3, 1981, in Malmo, Sweden. Ibrahimovic began his professional football career playing for Malmo FF in Sweden before moving to Ajax in the Netherlands in 2001.

Throughout his career, Ibrahimovic has played for several top clubs, including Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, and LA Galaxy. He has won numerous trophies and individual awards, including 11 league titles and the UEFA Europa League. He is also one of the few players to have scored in the UEFA Champions League with six different clubs.

Ibrahimovic is known for his incredible strength, technique, and scoring ability, and has been described as one of the most talented and controversial players in the world. He is also known for his larger-than-life personality and his frequent clashes with coaches and teammates. Despite this, he has a large fan base and is considered a cult hero among football fans around the world.

5. Kylian Mbappe – $150 million

Kylian Mbappe is a French professional football player who currently plays as a forward for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and the France national team. He was born on December 20, 1998, in Bondy, France. Mbappe began his professional football career playing for AS Monaco in France before moving to PSG in 2017.

Mbappe has won numerous trophies and individual awards throughout his career, including four Ligue 1 titles, the FIFA World Cup, and the Golden Boy award for the best young player in Europe. He has also been named the French Player of the Year twice.

Mbappe is known for his exceptional speed, dribbling skills, and goal-scoring ability, and has been compared to legendary Brazilian forward Pele for his style of play. He is also considered one of the most marketable athletes in the world and has endorsement deals with major brands such as Nike and Hublot.

6. Paul Pogba – $130 million

Paul Pogba is a French professional football player who currently plays as a midfielder for Manchester United in the English Premier League and the France national team. He was born on March 15, 1993, in Lagny-sur-Marne, France. Pogba began his professional football career playing for Manchester United’s youth teams before moving to Juventus in Italy in 2012.

At Juventus, Pogba helped the team win four consecutive Serie A titles and was named the Serie A Young Player of the Year in 2013 and 2014. In 2016, he transferred back to Manchester United for a then-world record transfer fee of £89 million.

Pogba has won numerous team and individual awards throughout his career, including the FIFA World Cup with France in 2018. He is known for his physical strength, technical ability, and long-range shooting, and has been described as one of the best midfielders in the world.

Pogba is also known for his unique hairstyles and fashion sense and is considered one of the most marketable athletes in the world with several high-profile endorsement deals, including with Adidas and Pepsi.

7. Andres Iniesta – $120 million

Andres Iniesta is a retired Spanish professional football player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of all time. He was born on May 11, 1984, in Fuentealbilla, Spain. Iniesta began his professional football career playing for Barcelona’s youth teams before making his first-team debut in 2002.

During his time at Barcelona, Iniesta helped the team win numerous trophies, including nine La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions League titles. He also played a crucial role in Spain’s national team, helping them win the FIFA World Cup in 2010 and the UEFA European Championship in 2008 and 2012.

Iniesta is known for his exceptional vision, passing ability, and control of the ball, and has been praised for his elegance and grace on the pitch. He has won several individual awards throughout his career, including the UEFA Best Player in Europe Award and the La Liga Player of the Year Award.

Iniesta retired from professional football in 2020 after a brief stint playing for Vissel Kobe in Japan. He is considered a football legend and has been praised for his sportsmanship, humility, and contribution to the sport.

8. Gareth Bale – $110 million

Gareth Bale is a Welsh professional football player who currently plays as a winger for Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League and the Wales national team. He was born on July 16, 1989, in Cardiff, Wales. Bale began his professional football career playing for Southampton in the English Championship before moving to Tottenham Hotspur in 2007.

At Tottenham, Bale established himself as one of the best wingers in the world, winning several individual awards, including the PFA Players’ Player of the Year and the FWA Footballer of the Year. In 2013, he transferred to Real Madrid for a then-world record transfer fee of €100 million.

During his time at Real Madrid, Bale helped the team win four UEFA Champions League titles and two La Liga titles. He also played a crucial role in the Welsh national team, helping them reach the semi-finals of the UEFA European Championship in 2016.

Bale is known for his exceptional speed, dribbling ability, and powerful left foot, and has been described as one of the most talented and exciting players in the world. He is also known for his philanthropic work and has donated millions of pounds to various charities throughout his career.

9. Eden Hazard – $100 million

Eden Hazard is a Belgian professional football player who currently plays as a forward for Real Madrid in the Spanish La Liga and the Belgium national team. He was born on January 7, 1991, in La Louviere, Belgium. Hazard began his professional football career playing for Lille in France before moving to Chelsea in 2012.

During his time at Chelsea, Hazard helped the team win two Premier League titles and the UEFA Europa League. He also won several individual awards, including the PFA Players’ Player of the Year and the FWA Footballer of the Year. In 2019, he transferred to Real Madrid for a fee reported to be around €100 million.

Hazard is known for his exceptional dribbling skills, creativity, and ability to score goals. He has been compared to legendary players such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for his style of play. He has also been praised for his sportsmanship and charitable work, including his support for children’s hospitals and foundations.

However, Hazard has faced several injury issues in recent years, which have limited his playing time and impacted his performance on the pitch. Nevertheless, he remains one of the most talented and exciting players in the world when he is at his best.

10. Sergio Aguero – $90 million

Sergio Agüero is an Argentine professional football player who currently plays as a striker for FC Barcelona in the Spanish La Liga and the Argentina national team. He was born on June 2, 1988, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Agüero began his professional football career playing for Independiente in Argentina before moving to Atletico Madrid in 2006.

During his time at Atletico Madrid, Agüero established himself as one of the best strikers in the world, scoring numerous goals and helping the team win the UEFA Europa League in 2010. In 2011, he transferred to Manchester City for a fee reported to be around £35 million.

At Manchester City, Agüero became a club legend, scoring numerous goals and helping the team win several trophies, including five Premier League titles and one FA Cup. He also won several individual awards, including the Premier League Golden Boot and the PFA Players’ Player of the Year.

Agüero is known for his exceptional finishing ability, pace, and movement off the ball. He has been described as one of the best and most clinical finishers in the world. However, he has faced several injury issues in recent years, which have limited his playing time and impacted his performance on the pitch. Nevertheless, he remains one of the most talented and respected strikers in the world.

11. David Beckham – $85 million

David Beckham is a retired English professional football player who is considered one of the most iconic and influential football players of his generation. He was born on May 2, 1975, in London, England. Beckham began his professional football career playing for Manchester United in the English Premier League before moving to Real Madrid in 2003.

During his time at Manchester United, Beckham won several trophies, including six Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League. He also played a crucial role in the England national team, helping them reach the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup in 2002 and 2006.

Beckham is known for his exceptional crossing ability, free-kick taking, and passing accuracy. He has been praised for his vision, technique, and work ethic on the pitch. He is also known for his iconic hairstyles and fashion sense, which have made him a global fashion and style icon.

After retiring from professional football in 2013, Beckham became a successful entrepreneur and established his own brand, Beckham Brand Holdings, which includes a range of businesses, including fashion, beauty, and media ventures. He also became an owner of Inter Miami CF, a Major League Soccer team in the United States, in 2018.

12. Luis Suarez – $80 million

Luis Suarez is a Uruguayan professional football player who currently plays as a striker for Atletico Madrid in the Spanish La Liga and the Uruguay national team. He was born on January 24, 1987, in Salto, Uruguay. Suarez began his professional football career playing for Nacional in Uruguay before moving to Europe to play for Groningen in the Netherlands in 2006.

During his time at Ajax Amsterdam and Liverpool, Suarez established himself as one of the best strikers in the world, scoring numerous goals and helping his teams win several trophies, including the Eredivisie, the English Premier League, and the UEFA Champions League. In 2014, he transferred to Barcelona for a fee reported to be around €82 million.

At Barcelona, Suarez became part of one of the most fearsome attacking trios in history, along with Lionel Messi and Neymar, and helped the team win several trophies, including four La Liga titles and the UEFA Champions League. He also won several individual awards, including the Pichichi Trophy as the top scorer in La Liga.

Suarez is known for his exceptional finishing ability, strength, and physicality. He has been described as one of the best and most complete strikers in the world. However, he has also been involved in several controversial incidents on and off the pitch, including being suspended for biting opponents on three separate occasions.

13. Wayne Rooney – $75 million

Wayne Rooney is a retired English professional football player who is considered one of the greatest football players in the history of English football. He was born on October 24, 1985, in Croxteth, Liverpool, England. Rooney began his professional football career playing for Everton in the English Premier League before moving to Manchester United in 2004.

During his time at Manchester United, Rooney became one of the most successful and decorated football players in the history of the club, winning five Premier League titles, three League Cups, one FA Cup, and the UEFA Champions League. He also played a crucial role in the England national team, scoring 53 goals in 120 appearances.

Rooney is known for his exceptional ability to score goals, create opportunities for his teammates, and his physicality and work ethic on the pitch. He is regarded as one of the best and most versatile players in the world, capable of playing in multiple positions, including as a striker, midfielder, or winger.

After leaving Manchester United in 2017, Rooney played for several clubs, including Everton, D.C. United in the United States, and Derby County, where he ended his playing career in 2021. Rooney is also the all-time leading scorer for both Manchester United and the England national team, with 253 and 53 goals respectively.

14. Yaya Toure – $70 million

During his playing career, Toure won numerous trophies, including three Premier League titles, two La Liga titles, and the UEFA Champions League. He also played a crucial role in the Ivory Coast national team, helping them win the Africa Cup of Nations in 2015.

Toure was known for his physicality, technical ability, and versatility on the pitch, being able to play as a box-to-box midfielder, a defensive midfielder, or an attacking midfielder. He was also known for his powerful and accurate shooting ability, which enabled him to score several spectacular long-range goals.

After retiring from professional football in 2019, Toure became a coach and worked as an assistant coach for the Ukrainian club Olimpik Donetsk in 2020. He also worked as a pundit and commentator for several media outlets, including Sky Sports and BBC Sport.

15. Gerard Pique – $65 million

Gerard Pique is a Spanish professional football player who currently plays as a central defender for FC Barcelona in the Spanish La Liga and the Spain national team. He was born on February 2, 1987, in Barcelona, Spain.

Pique began his professional football career playing for Manchester United in the English Premier League before returning to Barcelona in 2008. At Barcelona, he became an integral part of the team’s defense and helped the club win numerous trophies, including four UEFA Champions League titles and ten La Liga titles.

Pique is known for his exceptional defending skills, aerial ability, and composure on the ball. He is regarded as one of the best defenders in the world and has been praised for his leadership qualities both on and off the pitch.

Off the pitch, Pique is also involved in several business ventures, including his own gaming and e-sports company, as well as a production company that produces television shows and documentaries. He is also an advocate for social and political issues and has been involved in several philanthropic initiatives, including the creation of the Pique Foundation, which focuses on promoting education and sports among underprivileged children.