Top 10 richest football players in the world

Football is undoubtly the most watched sport in the world. Rising to top the ranks includes being part of a top team, and performing well enough to earn your place in the starting 11. Some players have done this amazingly well that it translates to a paycheck with enough zeros.

While it is no secret that footballers make big bucks, their work on the field determines how much they earn. With the entry of such talent as Paul Pogba and Gareth Bale, the top 10 richest football players list will, in the near future, feature some new faces. For now, here are the 10 wealthiest football players on the planet.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo – Net Worth: ($280 million)

It should come as no surprise that Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo tops this list. For anyone who follows the sport, Ronaldo is the absolute best of the best. He scores goals, dribbles with speed and force, and has sensational ball control.

Ronaldo’s deal with Real Madrid pays him a whopping €18.2 million per year, and that number doesn’t include bonuses. He also crushes it on the endorsement front, has his own clothing line (CR7), and owns a profitable property portfolio. Plus, people seem to find him easy on the eyes, so he’s got that going for him. It pays to be Cristiano Ronaldo.

2. Lionel Messi – Net Worth: ($220 million)

The talented Argentine captain of the national side, is yet to win a trophy for the country (apart from the Olympic gold in Bejing, 2008), the only blemish in an otherwise perfect career. He is a graduate of the FC Barcelona Football Academy and has been playing for FC Barcelona ever since. He is a five-time FIFA Ballon d’Or winner, the only player in history to win five. His trophy collection includes six La Ligas, two Spanish Super Cups, two Club World cup trophies and two UEFA Super Cups. Messi has earned 40 million EUR in 2016 alone.

3. Neymar Jr. – Net Worth: ($148 million)

Neymar is the face of Brazilian soccer and one of the main cogs on a talented FC Barcelona team. His skills with the ball and flair for excellence on the pitch make him one of the most popular players in the sport. His annual salary, which stands at €8.8 million a year, is small potatoes compared to his overwhelming endorsement deals, which include agreements with the likes of Nike, Panasonic, Volkswagen, Red Bull, and many more. That’s not a bad haul for being only 23 years old.

4. Zlatan Ibrahimovic – Net Worth: ($114 million)

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is the current starting striker for English side Manchester United, joining them on a free transfer from French giants Paris St Germain. The towering finisher is known for his explosive drives and powerful finishes in front of goal. He once scored an overhead kick from mid-pitch against England. His most successful club stint was at Inter Milan (Italy) joining them on a four-year deal and a transfer fee of €24.8 million. He has also played for Barcelona. He is the best paid English Premier League player $350,000 per week) alongside Paul Pogba. He is also a martial arts expert.

5. Wayne Rooney – Net Worth: ($112 million)

Wayne Rooney plays striker for both the English National Team and Manchester United. He is the wealthiest player in the English Premier League. Known for his strength on the field, Rooney has evolved into more than just a goal scorer, which is why Man U rewarded him with a $104 million contract in 2014. On top of that, the deal is reportedly worth £300,000 a week.

6. Ricardo Kaka – Net Worth: ($105 million)

Ricardo Kaka is a Brazilian attacking midfielder. Combining flair, skill and precision, he is a football marvel and a Real Madrid and AC Milan legend. His career pivoted at AC Milan, winning the Champions League with the club once. He rakes in a cool $7.2 million in Orlando every year. He has won FIFA player of the year, and also the World Cup. The winger’s signature skills include dribbling with enormous speed, breaking down defensive walls with deadly free kicks and a precise finisher.

7. Samuel Eto’o – Net Worth: ($95 million)

At one point, Samuel Eto’o earned €10 million a year at Barcelona and €5 million at Chelsea. However, those days are behind him. Instead, he opted to collect a massive payday from Anzhi Makhachkala, where he earned nearly half of his total fortune, according to Goal.com. Of course, endorsement deals with both Puma and Ford helped as well.

8. Ronaldinho Gaucho – ($95 million)

It’s been some time since Ronaldinho tore up the pitch as a member of Barcelona, but that hasn’t stopped the former Ballon d’Or winner from raking in the big bucks. During a recent stint with Atletico Mineiro, he pulled in €2.7 million a year. Now as a member of Querétaro FC, Ronaldinho has an opportunity to earn an additional €2.5 million per year in performance-based incentives.

9. Raul Gonzalez– Net Worth: ($93 million)

Spanish footballer Raul Gonzalez currently plays his football for the New York Cosmos. His long term relationship with Spanish giants Real Madrid made him the club’ leading goal scorer with 323 goals, a record broken by Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) during the 2014/2015 season.

10. Frank Lampard – ($87 million)

Although Frank Lampard currently plays with New York FC in the MLS, it was during his 14-year career in the English Premier League — 13 with Chelsea and one with Manchester City — where his fortune truly took off. During his stint at the game’s highest level, Lampard pulled in over €35 million in total earnings while matching that mark with an outstanding property portfolio.

Disclaimer : Above data is collected from various online & offline sources..