No. 1 Faiq Bolkiah Net Worth $20 Billion
Meet Faiq Jefri Bolkiah, a Bruneian Royal Family member and professional footballer blazing a trail both on and off the pitch. As the current winger for Chonburi, a Thai League 1 club, Faiq has made a name for himself as one of the most promising talents in the sport. But his impressive accomplishments don’t stop there.
While Faiq was born in the United States, he holds dual Bruneian and American citizenship thanks to his heritage as the son of Jefri Bolkiah, Prince of Brunei, and the nephew of the current Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah. In fact, Faiq’s impressive lineage has earned him the unique distinction of being one of the few professional footballers who can claim royal status.
Despite his privileged upbringing, Faiq has dedicated himself wholeheartedly to his football career. He has even served as the captain of the Brunei National Team, showcasing his natural leadership abilities both on and off the pitch.
But perhaps most notably, Faiq has been dubbed “the world’s richest footballer” due to his estimated net worth of $20 billion. While his immense wealth hasn’t shielded him from the challenges faced by all dedicated athletes, it certainly speaks to the incredible opportunities and accesses Faiq’s talent and family connections have afforded him.
Whether you’re a football fan or simply intrigued by the story of a royal athlete, Faiq Jefri Bolkiah is a name you won’t want to forget. With his impressive combination of talent, leadership, and wealth, Faiq is sure to continue making headlines for years to come.
No. 2 Lionel Messi Net Worth $620 Million
Regarded by many as the most talented soccer player in the world, Lionel Messi has earned himself a substantial net worth of $620 million. His rise to fame came from his impressive performance as a striker and winger for FC Barcelona, where he spent the majority of his career.
However, in August 2021, to the surprise of many fans, Messi announced his move to Paris Saint-Germain, where he continues to showcase his exceptional skills on the field. In addition to playing for Paris Saint-Germain, he also plays for the Argentina National Team, where he has earned numerous accolades for his outstanding performance.
While playing for Barcelona, Messi scored a whopping 672 goals in 778 games, solidifying his position as one of the best to ever grace the soccer field. On December 18, 2022, he helped lead the Argentina National Team to victory in the World Cup, a moment that will go down in history.
Aside from his impressive accomplishments on the soccer field, Messi’s success has also made him one of the highest-paid athletes in the world. In 2017, he signed a contract with Barcelona that gave him an average base annual salary of $168 million, a figure that is almost unheard of in the sport. Add to that his impressive endorsement deals, which earn him roughly $40 million per year, and Messi’s total annual earnings were around $200 million. With such an impressive combination of talent, success, and earnings, Messi is undoubtedly one of the greatest icons in the world of sports.
No. 3 Cristiano Ronaldo Net Worth $500 Million
Cristiano Ronaldo is a prominent Portuguese football player who has made a name for himself as a product ambassador and entrepreneur. As of this moment, his net worth is estimated to be around $500 million. This astounding figure places him among the highest-paid entertainers in the world. On average, Ronaldo earns $100-150 million annually from both his salary and endorsements.
For instance, in 2020 alone, Ronaldo earned a staggering $120 million. Approximately $70 million came from his salary, while the remaining $50 million came from endorsement deals with leading companies such as Nike, Clear Shampoo, and Herbalife. Ronaldo has rightly earned his place among the all-time greats such as Pele, Maradona, and George Best, known as “CR7.” His talents are often compared to those of Lionel Messi, leading to heated arguments about who is the best player globally.
When Ronaldo retires, he will have earned over a billion dollars in career earnings from salary and endorsements. This incredible feat has not yet been achieved by any other footballer. Once he hits the billion-dollar mark, he will join the elite $1 billion athlete club that currently includes the likes of Floyd Mayweather ($1 billion), Jack Nicklaus ($1.15 billion), Arnold Palmer ($1.35 billion), Tiger Woods ($1.65 billion), and Michael Jordan ($2+ billion).
No. 4 David Beckham Net Worth $450 Million
David Beckham, an English soccer player who has a net worth of $450 million along with his wife Victoria Beckham, is a retired player now. His professional soccer debut was at the age of 17, and he played for Manchester United for nine seasons. During this time, his team won the Premier League title six times, the FA Cup twice, and the UEFA Champions League once.
For a change, in 2003, he moved to the Spanish club Madrid Real. In 2007, Beckham signed a five-year contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy, which made him the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer. Nonetheless, soon after his American team, he returned to Europe in the 2009 and 2010 seasons. Beckham was not just limited to his league career; he was named captain of the England national football team in 2000, and he held this title until 2006. Furthermore, he came back to the squad in 2008; however, this time, not as a captain. Finally, he played for England in qualifying matches for the 2010 World Cup.
No. 5 Zlatan Ibrahimović Net Worth $210 Million
Zlatan Ibrahimović, a renowned footballer from Sweden, boasts a staggering net worth of $210 million. He is revered globally as one of the most exceptional strikers ever to grace the beautiful game. With a decorated career, he is among the most awarded and recognized footballers worldwide.
During his spell at Manchester United, Zlatan received an astronomical annual salary of $35 million, which remained his peak earning. However, in his final year with the club, his salary was reduced to a still-impressive $27 million. In 2018, upon joining LA Galaxy, the enigmatic forward agreed to a significantly reduced salary of $1.4 million.
