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Football is a popular sport with players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi being household names all across the world. Billions of dollars have been invested into football since the turn of the 21st century. As such, it does not come as a surprise when we discover exorbitant wages and transfer fees being shelled out on players every year.
If their income is managed well, the best footballers in the world can procure the kind of money that could serve many lifetimes. Considering they cannot be involved in the game forever, most footballers are also wise in terms of investments and building assets.
In addition to earning regular wages at various clubs, footballers also contribute to their overall net worth through investments, real estate and sponsorship deals. Additionally, some of them even venture into business inside and outside the world of football.
Over the course of last year, many footballers have endured gains and losses in their net worth. However, some of the top names in football like Neymar, Messi and Ronaldo understandably retain their place on this list.
Without further delay, let's delve straight into the list of top 10 footballers with the highest net worth in 2021:
Note: All facts and figures are based on celebritynetworth.com
#10 Thierry Henry - $130 million
Thierry Henry is undoubtedly one of the greatest ever footballers to have graced the Premier League. The Frenchman enjoyed eight memorable years with Arsenal in north London.
In addition to winning the highest number of Premier League Golden Boot awards (4), Henry was also an influential member of Arsenal's 'invincibles' side in 2003-04.
While his illustrious playing career requires no introduction, not many people are aware of the gains achieved by Henry outside the sport. Although he retired in 2014, the Arsenal legend has substantially made gains in his overall net worth.
Obviously, the fact that Henry was one of the most marketable athletes in the world during his peak is evident from the endorsements and sponsorships he signed up for. Major sports brands like Nike, Reebok and Puma were all endorsed by Henry at some stage. He also appeared on the cover of popular video games like FIFA and PES, while also becoming a brand ambassador for Gillette and Beats headphones.
Henry is currently the assistant coach of Belgium and is working towards enjoying an extended career in football management.
#9 Gareth Bale - $145 million
Gareth Bale has witnessed an increase in his net worth compared to last year. However, the Real Madrid star has had to drop down to ninth from eighth-place due to significant gains made by others on the list.
Despite enduring a remarkable fall from grace on the pitch in recent years, Bale still pockets a massive salary and has several endorsements. As such, the Welshman continues to add to his net worth quite comfortably.
If reports are to be believed, Bale is currently earning $33m per year as salary at Real Madrid. The forward has also earned a significant amount of money by endorsing Adidas, Lucozade, EA Sports and BT Sport. Notably, he also earns plenty of money through Instagram, where he receives $185,000 per sponsored post.
Bale, who has won three successive Champions League titles with Real Madrid, is now working towards rekindling his best form at the Bernabeu under former manager Carlo Ancelotti.
#8 Ronaldo - $160 million
Not many people will forget the absolute joy of watching Ronaldo in his prime. The Brazilian was considered the best player in the world during his peak years and won the Ballon d'Or twice.
Notably, Ronaldo also broke the record transfer fee twice with moves to Barcelona and Inter early on in his career. As soon as he emerged onto the scene with his undeniable quality, Nike were quick to sign Ronaldo up. The striker agreed a 10-year contract and lifetime endorsement deal with the brand believed to be worth around $180m.
Ronaldo also appeared in commercials for Snickers and Pirelli back in the day and continued to earn significant revenue from his endorsements. Despite injuries ruining his chances of scaling further heights, the former Real Madrid star ended up leaving his mark in the world of football.
A few years back in 2018, Ronaldo acquired majority ownership of Spanish club Real Valladolid. Although the club were relegated from La Liga last season, the Brazilian continues to remain devoted to building a strong team there.
#7 Wayne Rooney - $170 million
Football superstar Wayne Rooney is a cult hero at Manchester United. After making the switch to Old Trafford from boyhood club Everton in 2004, Rooney achieved unparalleled heights with the Red Devils.
In addition to winning 16 trophies, including five Premier League titles and the Champions League with Manchester United, Rooney is also the club's leading goal-scorer of all time.
After leaving Manchester United, Rooney decided to ply his trade in the MLS and reportedly received $30m in salary and endorsements there. Over the years, the striker has represented several brands like Nike, Nokia, Coca-Cola and Ford.
Additionally, Rooney has also made sound investments in real estate, owning properties in the US and in Barbados. Since calling time on his playing career, Rooney has moved into full-time management and is currently in charge of Championship club Derby County.
#6 Zlatan Ibrahimovic - $190 million
There is no denying the fact that Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a global footballing superstar. The Swede has enjoyed a decorated career, representing some of the biggest clubs in Europe over the years.
Although he is often outspoken and stubborn, Ibrahimovic has accumulated plenty of assets with his talent on the pitch. Between 2004 and 2014, the striker was an official Nike Mercurial Athlete. As such, Ibrahimovic promoted the brand extensively and received hefty sums as part of the endorsement deal.
However, since launching his official sportswear brand named A-Z in 2016, Ibrahimovic has not signed deals to become an ambassador for other such brands.
But Sweden's all-time record goal-scorer has continued to appear in commercials for Nivea, Xbox and Vitamin Well sports drinks. More recently, Ibrahimovic has also promoted Volvo cars, appearing in a few television adverts for the Sweden-based car manufacturer.
At 39-years-old, Ibrahimovic is currently the highest-earner at AC Milan and has another year left on his contract with the club.
#5 Neymar - $200 million
Neymar is easily one of the most marketable footballers in the world right now. The Brazilian has been the poster boy of endorsements ever since his meteoric rise at Santos.
In addition to pocketing a hefty salary at Paris Saint-Germain, Neymar recently signed up with German sportswear giant Puma as their global ambassador. Further, the forward has also promoted brands like Panasonic, Volkswagen, Claro, Unilever and Santander.
Neymar has reportedly earned $40m purely from endorsements over the last four years. Having agreed to extend his contract with PSG until 2025, he is entitled to gain more value in the future.
Considering the reunion with Lionel Messi this summer, Neymar could also be in for a memorable campaign on the pitch.
#4 David Beckham - $450 million
Not many footballers have managed to build an aura and brand like David Beckham. The Manchester United legend remains one of the biggest global icons of the game even after his retirement.
While his achievements on the pitch speak for his ability with the ball at his feet, Beckham's life outside of football is an ideal example for anyone in asset management.
The Englishman, along with his wife Victoria, have built a massive global appeal and brand value. At his peak, Beckham was easily the most sought-after footballer in the world of endorsements with clients like Pepsi, Calvin Klein, Adidas and Gillette.
It is estimated that he also earned $255m as part of salary, endorsements and licensing during his six seasons with LA Galaxy in the MLS. Beckham has also been actively involved in real estate and bagged almost $15m in profit when he sold his Beverly Hills mansion in 2018. He recently acquired properties believed to be worth close to $60m in England and abroad (facts via celebritynetworth.com).
Beckham also owns an MLS team called Inter Miami, while also being a part-owner of Salford City with his 'Class of 92' teammates at Manchester United.
#3 Cristiano Ronaldo - $500 million
Cristiano Ronaldo has redefined football ever since bursting into the spotlight with a move to Manchester United from Sporting Lisbon. The Portuguese is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all-time and has shown no signs of slowing down with age.
At the time of writing, Ronaldo has won five Ballon d'Or awards and is the joint-highest goal scorer of all-time in international football. The Juventus star has also won the Champions League on five separate occasions, while also lifting the Euro Championship (2016) and the UEFA Nations League (2018) trophies with Portugal.
Ronaldo enjoys a sparkling life outside of football too. He is essentially never away from the spotlight and has endorsed several brands over the years. Some of the notable brands he promotes are Nike, Herbalife and Clear Shampoo.
It is reported that Ronaldo agreed a lifetime deal with Nike in 2016 worth $1 billion and received a signing bonus of $100m. Many people believe Ronaldo could soon enter the $1 billion club in terms of net worth considering the profile of his individual brands and businesses.
#2 Lionel Messi - $600 million
Lionel Messi has enjoyed significant gains in his net worth over the last 12 months. The Argentine stood fourth with $400m last year, but he has jumped to second-place now.
In addition to earning close to $40m per year after taxes on his new PSG contract, Messi also has several brand endorsements. Since 2006, Messi has been sponsored by Adidas. He is the brand's leading endorser and has a lifetime agreement with the sportswear manufacturer.
Messi also appeared on the cover of the Pro Evolution Soccer video game for three straight years from 2009 to 2011, helping developers with trailers and motion capturing too.
Following his high-profile move to PSG, Messi could land further endorsements from sponsors associated with the club. As such, the talismanic forward is only expected to expand his assets over time.
#1 Faiq Bolkiah - $20 billion
Due to his lineage, Faiq Bolkiah continues to remain the footballer with the highest net worth in the world. The 23-year-old is the son of Jefri Bolkiah, the Prince of Brunei, and nephew of Hassanal Bolkiah, who is the current Sultan of Brunei.
Back in 2019, Bolkiah signed a one-year deal with Southampton's youth academy. However, the midfielder failed to break into the first team at the club. Since leaving the Saints, Bolkiah has had stints with youth teams at Arsenal and Chelsea.
Notably, he signed his first professional contract at Leicester City, where he was contracted until 2020. After leaving the Foxes without making an appearance at senior level, Bolkiah joined Maritimo from Portugal on a free transfer.
The captain of the Brunei national team, Bolkiah is currently plying his trade for the reserve team at Maritimo. Despite not enjoying the best of success in professional football, Bolkiah's status as numero uno among footballers in terms of net worth will remain undisputed for a long time.
