Top 20 Richest Soccer Player in the World [2022 Update] 

Football is a very popular sport. It is played by over 250 million individuals across 211 nations worldwide. No wonder then footballers are able to grab millions of dollars worth of contracts, media partnerships, and sponsorships.

If you’re reading this, you probably have wondered who the richest soccer players in the world are. In fact, there may already be a few names popping up in your head. Ronaldo, Messi, Rooney, Beckham… but who’s the richest, what’s their net worth, and how does it compare to others?

Let’s find out the answers to our list of the top 20 richest soccer players in the world. 

The Top 20 Richest Soccer Players in the World 

We used resources like The Richest, WealthyGorilla, Forbes, Goal, and Celebrity Net Worth for this compilation. 

20. Willian Borges Da Silva

• Net worth: $75 Million
• Source of Wealth: Football, Brand Contracts
• Country: Brazil

Willian is a professional Brazillian football player who started his career in 2016. In his first season with Corinthians, he made five appearances and several breakthroughs.

For instance, scoring twice in his first 29 matches. He played football as a winger or an attacking midfielder for the EPL Clubs Chelsea and Arsenal. His career in the Brazil National Team lasted from 2011 to 2019. 

19. Rio Ferdinand

• Net worth: $75
• Source of Wealth: Football, White Chalk Music
• Country: England

English footballer Rio Ferdinand is on the 19th spot with a net worth of $75 million. He played football as a center back for Manchester United in the EPL and English national team.

His accomplishments include three FIFA world cup appearances and 81 caps in total for the national team. His career in the England national team lasted from 1997 to 2011.

18. Arjen Robben

• Net worth: $80 million
• Source of Wealth: Football, Media Deals
• Country: Netherlands

Former Dutch footballer Arjen Robben has approximately $80 million net worth. He played as a winger. Famous for his speed, dribbling, and highly accurate left foot shots, Robin was one of the best football players in his prime.

He won the Bravo award in 2005, the Kicker Man of the Year award in 2010, and the Dutch Sportsman of the Year award in 2014. 

17. Sergio Ramos 

• Net worth: $82 million
• Source of Wealth: Football, Sponsorships and media partnerships
• Country: Spain

Spanish superstar has a net worth of approximately $82 million and counting. He is currently the third highest-paid player for Real Madrid. Born and raised in Camas, Ramos began his soccer player with Sevilla FC as a Central Defender.

He made his La Liga debut in 2004. Just one year later, he made it to Real Madrid. He has played two world cups for the national team.

16. Andres Iniesta

• Net worth: $86 million
• Source of Wealth: 
• Country: Spain

Iniesta began his football career with the Albacete youth squad at the young age of 10. In 1999, he was declared as the player of the Nike Premier Cup when he led the Barcelona under15 team to win.

He plays as a midfielder and captains the J1 League club, Kobe. Iniesta has represented the Spanish national team from 2006 to 2018.

15. Ronaldinho de Assis Moreira

• Net worth: $90 million
• Source of Wealth: Football
• Country: Brazil

Ronaldinho de Assis Moreira, or Ronaldinho is a former Brazilian professional footballer. He was a member of Brazil’s 2002 FIFA world-cup winning squad.

Notable for technique, overhead kicks, and dribbling skills, he is regarded as the finest footballer of his era as he won two FIFA World Player of the Year awards. He played in the national team from 19999 to 2013.

14. Didier Drogba

• Net worth: $90 million
• Source of Wealth: Football
• Country: Ivory Coast

Didier Drogba is a former Ivorian footballer who has a net worth of approximately $90 million. This makes him the 14th wealthiest soccer player in the world.

He is best regarded for his stint, with Chelsea scoring more goals than any foreign player. He also won the African Footballer of the Year title in 2006 and 2009. 

13. Samuel Eto

• Net worth: $95 million
• Source of Wealth: Football, Brand Endorsements
• Country: Cameroon

Former Cameroonian footballer is one of the richest athletes of Africa. He currently plays as a striker for the Turkish football club Konyaspor.

The 4-time winner of the African Player of the Year award, Eto, was once earning an annual salary of $26 million. He played in the national team from 1997 to 2014, scoring 56 goals. 

12. Kaka

• Net worth: $95 million
• Source of Wealth: Football, Brand Endorsements, Real Estate
• Country: Brazil

Kaka is a former professional Brazilian footballer who played as an attacking midfielder. His creative passing, dribbling, and goal-scoring abilities turned him into one of the best players of his generation.

He is one of the only eight players in the world to have won the FIFA world cup, EUFA Champions League, and the Ballon d’Or. He played in the national team from 2002 to 2016, scoring 92 goals. 

11. Eden Hazard

• Net worth: $100 million
• Source of Wealth: Football, Brand Endorsements, Sponsors
• Country: Belgium

Hazard is a professional Belgian football player with a net worth of $100 as of today. However, he continues to play soccer today. Therefore, this amount will substantially increase over the years.

He plays as a winger or attacking midfielder. Hazard started his career at the young age of 4. After spending a considerable period with the Royal Stade Brainois, he was transferred to Tubize. 

10. Pele

• Net worth: $115 million 
• Source of Wealth: Football, Brand endorsements
• Country: Brazil

Believe it or not, Pele is still one of the top 10 richest soccer players globally, even though he retired in 1977. Widely acclaimed as the best football player of all time, Pele’s celebrity status transcends the barriers of sports.

In fact, he has become one of the most legendary figures of the twentieth century. He holds several records, including an all-tournament score of 1297 goals throughout his career. 

9. Francesco Totti

• Net worth: $120 million
• Source of Wealth: Football
• Country: Italy

Totti is a retired Italian footballer. He played for the Italian regional club As Roma as well as the national football team. With 24 goals, he is the second top scorer in Serie A history.

Totti was famous for his versatility as he could play as an attacking midfielder, a second striker, or a lone striker. He represented Italy from 1998 to 2006, scoring 58 goals. 

8. Gareth Bale

• Net worth: $125 million
• Source of Wealth: Football
• Country: Wales

Bale is a Welsh professional footballer. He has played as a forward for Real Madrid and the Wales national team since 2006. He is famous for his fantastic left footwork, agility, and physical attributes.

Bale was named as the player of the Year in the PFA Players, and he was also included in the UEFA Team of the year in 2011. 

7. Alexandre Pato

• Net worth: $145 million
• Source of Wealth: Football, Property, Stocks, Endorsement Deals
• Country: Brazil

Alexandre Rodrigues da Silva commonly known as Pato, is a professional Brazillian footballer. He represented the national team from 2008 to 2013, scoring ten goals.

The Brazilian football star has an impressive fortune of $145 million, with major shares coming from his football career, stock investments, property holdings, and a lucrative endorsement deal with brands like CoverGirl.

6. Wayne Rooney

• Net worth: $170 million
• Source of Wealth: Football, endorsements, business investments
• Country: England

With a net worth of approximately $145 million, English footballer Wayne Rooney is the sixth richest soccer player in the world. Most of his wealth comes from football contracts, endorsement deals, and business investments.

Even after retirement, he is associated with football as the manager of Derby County. He played as a striker for the EPL club Manchester United and the English national team. 

5. Zlatan Ibrahimovic

• Net worth: $190 million
• Source of Wealth: Football, Brand partnerships
• Country: Sweden

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a Swedish professional footballer. He is widely regarded as one of the best strikers of all time. His ability with the ball in the air and accurate striking ability have enabled him to become a prolific goal scorer.

In addition, with 32 trophies in his career so far, Ibrahimovic is the second-most decorated active footballer. 

4. Dave Whelan

• Net worth: $220 million
• Source of Wealth: Football, Retail Business
• Country: England

Dave Whelan is a former English footballer. He played for the Blackburn Rovers from 1956 to 1960, scoring three goals. After that, he joined Crewe Alexandra from 1962 to 66.

Although his football career wasn’t so successful, Whelan saw significant success as a businessman starting various businesses in the retail sector. That’s why he is still on the list of the top 5 richest soccer players in the world. 

3. Lionel Messi

• Net worth: $400 million
• Source of Wealth: Football, Advertising deals
• Country: Argentina

Messi is an Argentinian professional footballer. He plays football as a forward for Paris Saint-Germain and captains the national football team of Argentina.

He has been playing in the national team since 2005, scoring 80 goals and counting. With a record 7 Ballon d”Or and 6 European Golden Shoes, he is considered as the best player of recent history and one of the greatest players of all time.

2. David Beckham 

• Net worth: $450 million
• Source of Wealth: Football, Businesses, Advertising deals
• Country: England

Beckham is a retired English footballer, media person, and businessman. He is one of the greatest footballers ever in the game’s history.

As of 2022, his net worth is $450 million, making him the second richest footballer on earth. He played as a midfielder for 20 years, and in 2004 at the peak of his career, he was named the highest-paid footballer. 

1. Cristiano Ronaldo

• Net worth: $500+ million
• Source of Wealth: Football, CR7 Gyms, Hotels, Advertising deals
• Country: Portugal

Ronaldo is a Portuguese professional footballer. Acclaimed the greatest footballer of all time, Ronaldo enjoys an impressive fortune of approximately $500 million and counting. He plays forward for the English Premier League’s club Manchester United and the Portuguese national team.

So far, he has scored 115 goals for the national team. Apart from football, his income comes from his hotel and gym businesses. 

Who’s your favorite footballer, and how rich are they?

Let us know in the comments below! 

Categorised in: The Football Forum Blog

This post was written by frances