The highest earning footballers of all time

Football has long been a sport of passion, skill, and immense financial rewards. The top players in the beautiful game earn staggering sums that often make headlines. These elite athletes rake in millions not just from their club salaries, but also through lucrative endorsement deals and other business ventures.

The highest-earning footballer of all time is Cristiano Ronaldo, who reportedly earns £173 million per year at Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr. This astronomical figure dwarfs the earnings of even his closest rivals. Ronaldo’s move to the Middle East marked a shift in the football landscape, with Saudi clubs now competing for the world’s best talent with eye-watering wage offers.

Other footballers in the top earnings bracket include Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappé. These players command salaries and endorsement deals that put them among the highest-paid athletes across all sports. Their earnings reflect not just their on-pitch performances, but also their global marketability and influence beyond the football pitch.

Key Takeaways

• Top footballers earn millions from both salaries and endorsements
• Saudi Arabian clubs have raised the bar for player wages in recent years
• Earnings of elite players reflect their global marketability and influence

Historical Earnings Overview

Footballers’ salaries have skyrocketed over the decades. Top players now earn vast sums from wages, bonuses, and endorsements. The financial landscape of football has changed dramatically.

Evolution of Footballers’ Salaries

In the 1960s, top players earned modest wages. The average salary was about £20 per week. By the 1990s, this had grown to £1,000 per week for Premier League stars.

The 2000s saw a huge jump. Wayne Rooney signed a £300,000 per week deal with Manchester United in 2014. This was seen as massive at the time.

Today, the highest earners make over £500,000 weekly. Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2022 move to Al Nassr set a new benchmark. His reported £173 million yearly salary dwarfs previous records.

Record-Breaking Contracts

Transfer fees have also risen sharply. The first £1 million transfer happened in 1979 when Trevor Francis moved to Nottingham Forest. By 2009, Real Madrid paid £80 million for Cristiano Ronaldo.

In 2017, Paris Saint-Germain shattered records. They paid £198 million to sign Neymar from Barcelona. This remains the highest transfer fee ever paid.

Wages have followed suit. Lionel Messi’s 2021 contract with Barcelona was worth £500 million over four years. It included a £122 million yearly salary.

Inflation and Football Economy

TV deals have fuelled wage growth. The Premier League’s first TV contract in 1992 was worth £304 million over five years. The 2022-2025 deal is valued at £5 billion.

Sponsorships add to players’ earnings. Top stars like Ronaldo and Messi make millions from endorsements. These often exceed their club wages.

The football economy has outpaced general inflation. While UK inflation averaged 2-3% annually since 2000, footballer wages grew by over 1,500% in the same period.

Top Footballers and Their Earnings

Football’s elite players earn massive sums from their club wages and lucrative sponsorship deals. The highest-paid footballers now rake in hundreds of millions each year. Let’s look at some of the top earners in the sport.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo tops the list of highest-paid footballers. The Portuguese star earns an eye-watering £173 million per year at Saudi club Al Nassr. This works out to over £3.3 million per week.

Ronaldo’s earnings come from his huge club salary and many sponsorship deals. He has contracts with Nike, Herbalife, and his own CR7 brand. At age 39, Ronaldo remains one of football’s most marketable players.

His move to Saudi Arabia in 2023 made him the highest-paid athlete in any sport. Before that, he earned big money at Juventus and Manchester United.

Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi is the second highest earner in football. The Argentine wizard takes home about £100 million per year. His salary at Inter Miami is lower than what he earned at PSG, but he makes up for it with sponsorships.

Messi has deals with Adidas, Pepsi, and Budweiser. He also earns from his own clothing line and theme park. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner’s brand value stays strong even as he nears the end of his career.

His 2021 move from Barcelona to PSG briefly made him the highest-paid footballer. Messi’s earnings have dipped slightly since joining MLS, but he remains near the top of the list.

Neymar Jr.

Brazilian star Neymar is the third highest-paid footballer. He earns about £100 million yearly after his 2023 move to Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia. This matches his earnings from his time at PSG.

Neymar’s income comes from his massive club salary and sponsorships. He has deals with Puma, Red Bull, and Pokerstars. The flashy forward also makes money from his own institute and gaming company.

His 2017 transfer from Barcelona to PSG for £198 million remains a world record. At age 32, Neymar continues to be one of football’s most bankable stars.

Kylian Mbappé

French sensation Kylian Mbappé is the youngest player among football’s top earners. The 25-year-old striker makes about £62 million per year at Paris Saint-Germain. His income is set to rise with an expected move to Real Madrid.

Mbappé’s earnings come from his PSG wages and sponsorships. He has deals with Nike, Hublot, and EA Sports. The World Cup winner is seen as football’s next big superstar.

His speed and scoring ability make him a fan favourite. Mbappé’s youth and talent mean his earning power will likely grow in coming years.

Other Top Earning Players

Several other players earn huge sums in football. Kevin De Bruyne at Manchester City makes about £20 million yearly. Mohamed Salah earns a similar amount at Liverpool.

Erling Haaland’s earnings are growing fast. The young Norwegian striker takes home about £19 million per year at Manchester City.

Veterans like Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kanté boost their income with moves to Saudi clubs. They now earn about £100 million yearly.

Robert Lewandowski and Harry Kane are among the top earners in Spain and Germany. Both strikers make over £15 million per year from their clubs.

Revenue Streams Beyond Salaries

Top footballers earn vast sums from sources beyond their club wages. These extra income streams often dwarf their salaries and continue long after retirement.

Endorsements and Sponsorships

Big-name players secure lucrative deals with major brands. Nike, Adidas, and Puma pay millions for athletes to wear their boots and clothing. Cristiano Ronaldo’s lifetime Nike contract is worth over £1 billion. Lionel Messi has deals with Pepsi, Lay’s, and Adidas.

Footballers also promote luxury watches, cars, and electronics. Neymar Jr. works with Red Bull, Beats by Dre, and Gillette. These deals often include social media posts and TV adverts.

Some stars even launch their own product lines. David Beckham’s DB Eyewear and fragrances have been very successful.

Image Rights and Licensing

Clubs pay extra for a player’s image rights. This allows them to use the footballer’s name and likeness in marketing. Top players can earn millions from this alone.

Image rights extend to video games, trading cards, and merchandise. EA Sports pays to use players’ likenesses in their FIFA games. Ronaldo and Messi have appeared on the game’s cover many times.

Players also license their names for books, films, and documentaries. These can lead to big paydays and boost their brand value.

Investments and Business Ventures

Smart footballers use their wealth to build long-term income. Many invest in property, buying luxury homes and rental properties. Some go further, like Ronaldo, who owns hotels in Portugal.

Tech start-ups are another popular choice. Gerard Piqué has invested in several and even started his own sports media company. Mathieu Flamini co-founded a biochemicals firm worth billions.

Some players open restaurants or clothing lines. Others buy sports teams. David Beckham co-owns Inter Miami CF in the US. These ventures can provide income long after retirement.

Global Football Leagues and Their Financial Impact

Football leagues around the world shape the sport’s economic landscape. They drive revenues, influence player salaries, and impact global markets. The financial power of these leagues varies greatly, with some dominating the scene.

Premier League and its Financial Dominance

The Premier League stands at the top of football’s financial pyramid. In the 2022/23 season, the top 20 clubs generated a record €10.5 billion in revenue. This 14% increase from the previous year shows the league’s growing strength.

English clubs benefit from massive TV deals and global fan bases. Manchester United, Liverpool, and Manchester City lead in commercial income. Match day revenues hit €1.9 billion, proving fans’ hunger for live football.

The Premier League’s financial might allows clubs to pay high wages. This attracts top talent from around the world, further boosting the league’s appeal and revenue potential.

La Liga’s Revenue and Salary Structures

La Liga, Spain’s top division, ranks second in financial power. Real Madrid and Barcelona are among the world’s richest clubs. They generate huge sums from sponsorships, TV rights, and merchandise sales.

La Liga’s salary structure differs from the Premier League. Spanish clubs often use performance-based contracts. This can lead to eye-watering wages for top stars. For example, Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong earns £606,000 per week, making him Europe’s highest-paid player.

Despite this, La Liga faces challenges. Strict financial rules have forced some clubs to cut costs. This has led to high-profile player exits, impacting the league’s global appeal.

The Economic Rise of Other Leagues

While the Premier League and La Liga dominate, other leagues are growing financially. Germany’s Bundesliga is known for sound financial management. French Ligue 1 has seen investment boost Paris Saint-Germain to new heights.

The Saudi Pro League has made waves with massive player contracts. Stars like Cristiano Ronaldo have moved for huge sums, raising the league’s profile. This influx of money is changing the global transfer market.

Major League Soccer (MLS) in the USA is also on the rise. Smart marketing and strategic player signings have increased revenues. The league’s salary structure, with designated player spots, allows for marquee signings while controlling overall costs.

These emerging leagues are reshaping football’s financial landscape. They offer new opportunities for players and challenge the dominance of traditional powerhouses.

Financial Regulations and Fair Play

Football’s financial landscape has evolved significantly in recent years. Governing bodies have implemented rules to promote financial stability and fair competition among clubs.

Transfer Windows and Spending Limits

The transfer window system regulates when clubs can buy and sell players. Most leagues have two transfer periods: a longer summer window and a shorter January window. These windows aim to maintain competitive balance and financial stability.

Transfer fees have skyrocketed, with some deals exceeding £100 million. To curb excessive spending, some leagues have introduced limits on transfer budgets. For example, La Liga in Spain enforces a salary cap that restricts how much clubs can spend on transfers and wages.

Clubs must carefully plan their transfer strategies to comply with these rules. They often use creative accounting methods, like amortisation, to spread transfer costs over several years.

Salary Caps and Financial Fair Play

UEFA introduced Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules in 2010 to improve clubs’ financial health. FFP requires clubs to balance their spending with their earnings and encourages responsible investment.

Key FFP rules include:

• Clubs can’t spend more than €5 million over their income in a three-year period
• Wealthy owners can only inject a limited amount of money
• Clubs must pay transfer fees, wages, and other bills on time

FFP has faced criticism for potentially limiting competition and favouring established clubs. However, it has helped reduce club debt and improve financial stability across European football.

Some leagues, like Major League Soccer in the US, use strict salary caps to ensure parity. These caps set a maximum amount clubs can spend on player wages.

Impact of Major Events on Players’ Earnings

Big football events can change how much money players make. These events give players a chance to show off their skills and become more famous.

World Cup and International Competitions

The World Cup is a huge deal for footballers’ pay. Winning the World Cup can lead to big pay rises and new deals. For example, after France won in 2018, Kylian Mbappé’s value went up a lot. He got a new contract worth millions more per year.

Other international contests like the Euros also affect earnings. Good performances can lead to transfers to richer clubs. This happened with James Rodríguez after his great 2014 World Cup.

Sponsors often pay more to players who do well in these big events. This adds to their total earnings.

Continental and Intercontinental Tournaments

Champions League success can boost a player’s pay. Winning this tournament often leads to bonuses and better contracts. Real Madrid’s players, for instance, got big bonuses for their recent Champions League wins.

The Club World Cup, while smaller, still matters. It gives players from different parts of the world a chance to shine. This can lead to moves to bigger leagues with higher wages.

Competitions like the Copa América and African Cup of Nations are important too. They help players from these areas get noticed by European clubs. This can mean much higher salaries.

Comparison with Other Sports

Football’s top earners rake in huge sums, but how do they stack up against other sports? Let’s look at how football compares to basketball, American football, and cricket in terms of player earnings.

Football vs Basketball Earnings

Football and basketball both boast some of the highest-paid athletes globally. Top footballers like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo earn salaries comparable to NBA superstars.

In 2023, Messi’s annual earnings topped £100 million, rivalling basketball’s highest earner, Stephen Curry. However, NBA players often have higher average salaries across the league.

The NBA’s salary cap and revenue sharing model allows for more evenly distributed high wages. In contrast, football’s top earners tend to be more concentrated at a handful of wealthy clubs.

Football vs American Football

American football, particularly the NFL, offers massive contracts but with key differences from football.

NFL players typically earn less than top footballers, with the highest NFL salary in 2023 around £40 million per year. However, NFL careers are often shorter due to the sport’s physical nature.

Football contracts usually run longer, allowing players to accumulate more over time. NFL contracts also tend to have less guaranteed money compared to football deals.

Endorsements play a big role in both sports, but global football stars often have wider international appeal and earning potential.

Football vs Cricket

Cricket, while hugely popular in some countries, generally offers lower salaries than top-level football.

The highest-paid cricketers earn around £2-3 million annually from their national contracts and league appearances. This is far below football’s top tier.

However, cricket’s Indian Premier League (IPL) has boosted earnings. Top IPL players can make over £1 million for a two-month tournament.

Cricket’s earning potential varies greatly by country. English and Australian cricketers tend to earn more than those from other nations.

Unlike football’s year-round schedule, cricket’s seasonal nature can limit earning opportunities for players.

Cultural and Commercial Influence

Top footballers shape popular culture and drive massive business deals. Their fame extends far beyond the pitch, turning them into global icons and marketing powerhouses.

Footballers as Global Icons

Football stars have huge worldwide popularity. Cristiano Ronaldo boasts over 500 million Instagram followers. Lionel Messi’s fanbase spans continents. Their reach goes beyond sport into fashion, music, and politics.

Kids copy players’ hairstyles and goal celebrations. Fans buy shirts with their heroes’ names. Big matches draw billions of TV viewers. Football idols influence trends and public opinions on a global scale.

Some players use their fame for good causes. Marcus Rashford campaigned for free school meals in the UK. Didier Drogba helped bring peace to Ivory Coast.

Commercial Appeal and Celebrity Status

Top footballers are walking billboards. They sign lucrative deals with sports brands, luxury goods, and tech companies. David Beckham set the model for the footballer as a brand. His deals with Adidas, Pepsi, and H&M made him richer off the pitch than on it.

Players appear in adverts, video games, and movies. They launch clothing lines and fragrances. Neymar starred in Netflix shows. Zlatan Ibrahimovic wrote books.

Clubs and leagues benefit too. Player popularity boosts ticket sales, TV rights, and merchandise income. The biggest stars help teams break into new markets, especially in Asia and North America.

The Future of Football Finances

Football finances are set to change dramatically. New markets and tech innovations will reshape how clubs and players make money in the coming years.

Emerging Markets and New Revenue Streams

Saudi Arabia has shaken up the football world with massive player contracts. The Saudi Pro League aims to be a top-five league by 2030. This could shift the balance of financial power away from Europe’s traditional top leagues.

Other emerging markets like India and the US are also pouring money into football. These countries have huge populations and growing interest in the sport. This opens up new fan bases and revenue streams for clubs and players.

Esports and digital content are becoming big earners too. Top players like Harry Kane now make large sums from social media and gaming partnerships. These new income sources may soon rival traditional salaries and endorsements for the highest earners.

Technological Advancements and Their Impact

Tech is changing how fans engage with football. Virtual and augmented reality could create new premium viewing experiences. Blockchain and NFTs may offer new ways for fans to invest in clubs and players.

Data analytics is helping clubs spot talent more efficiently. This could level the financial playing field between rich and smaller clubs. AI may soon help with tactics and training, potentially reducing the need for large coaching staffs.

Wearable tech and smart stadiums are improving the fan experience. These innovations create new revenue opportunities through personalised services and products. As tech develops, the Forbes list of top earners may include more tech-savvy players and innovative clubs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Football’s top earners have amassed incredible wealth through salaries, bonuses and endorsements. The highest-paid players often compete in elite leagues or lucrative markets like Saudi Arabia.

Who tops the list of the wealthiest footballers in history?

Cristiano Ronaldo stands as one of the wealthiest footballers ever. His long career at top clubs and massive sponsorship deals have built his fortune. Ronaldo’s move to Saudi club Al Nassr boosted his earnings even further.

Which football player has received the highest career earnings to date?

Lionel Messi likely holds the record for highest career earnings. His time at Barcelona included enormous contracts. Messi’s current deal with Inter Miami and his many endorsements add to his massive career income.

Which Premier League footballers are among the most financially successful of all time?

Wayne Rooney ranks as one of the Premier League’s top earners historically. His long tenure at Manchester United brought substantial wages. David Beckham also earned huge sums during and after his Premier League days.

Who are the highest earners in football for the year 2024?

Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema top the list for 2024. They each earn about £173 million per year at their Saudi clubs. Neymar and N’Golo Kante follow, with earnings around £86 million annually in Saudi Arabia.

What are the weekly earning records for top footballing talents?

Ronaldo and Benzema set new records with weekly wages of about £3.3 million. This dwarfs previous highs seen in European leagues. Neymar comes next at roughly £1.65 million per week with Al Hilal.

How do the world’s richest footballers’ incomes compare?

The gap between top earners and other players has widened. Saudi clubs pay far more than European teams now. Players like Mbappe earn less, but still take home massive sums compared to most footballers.