Football is not only a sport but also a big business that generates billions of dollars every year. Footballers are some of the highest-paid athletes in the world, with many earning millions of dollars in salary, bonuses, endorsements, and other income streams. In this article, we will take a look at the 10 richest footballers in 2023, from active players to retired legends who have made their fortune in other ventures.
Alexandre Pato: $145 million
Alexandre Pato is a Brazilian footballer who currently plays for Orlando City SC in Major League Soccer (MLS). He started his career at Internacional in Brazil before moving to AC Milan in 2007. He has also played for Chelsea, Villarreal, Tianjin Quanjian, and Sao Paulo. Pato’s net worth is estimated to be around $145 million.
Ronaldo Nazário: $160 million
Ronaldo Nazário, also known as Ronaldo Fenômeno, is a retired Brazilian footballer who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. He won two World Cups with Brazil and played for top clubs such as Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Inter Milan. After retiring from football, Ronaldo has become a successful businessman and investor, with a net worth of around $160 million.
Zlatan Ibrahimović: $190 million
Zlatan Ibrahimović is a Swedish footballer who currently plays for LA Galaxy in MLS. He has played for some of the biggest clubs in the world, including Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, and Manchester United. He is also known for his charismatic personality and outspoken comments. Ibrahimović’s net worth is estimated to be around $190 million.
Neymar Jr.: $200 million
Neymar Jr. is a Brazilian footballer who currently plays for Paris Saint-Germain in the French Ligue 1. He started his career at Santos in Brazil before moving to Barcelona in 2013. He is known for his skills, speed, and goalscoring ability. Neymar Jr.’s net worth is estimated to be around $200 million.
Dave Whelan: $220 million
Dave Whelan is a former English footballer who played for Blackburn Rovers and Crewe Alexandra. After retiring from football, he became a successful businessman and founded the retail chain JJB Sports. He also owned Wigan Athletic, a football club that played in the English Premier League. Whelan’s net worth is estimated to be around $220 million.
David Beckham: $400 million
David Beckham is a retired English footballer who played for Manchester United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan, and Paris Saint-Germain. He is also known for his fashion sense and celebrity status. After retiring from football, Beckham has become a successful businessman and investor, with ventures in fashion, fragrance, and soccer teams. His net worth is estimated to be around $400 million.
Lionel Messi: $400 million
Lionel Messi is an Argentine footballer who plays for Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, with numerous individual awards and trophies. Messi has spent his entire professional career at Barcelona before moving to PSG. He has also endorsed several major brands such as Adidas and Pepsi. Messi’s net worth is estimated to be around $400 million.
Cristiano Ronaldo: $500 million
Cristiano Ronaldo is a Portuguese footballer who plays for Manchester United in the English Premier League. He has played for Sporting Lisbon, Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus before returning to Manchester United in 2021. He is known for his incredible skills, goalscoring ability, and marketability. Ronaldo has also endorsed several major brands such as Nike and Herbalife. His net worth is estimated to be around $500 million, making him the third-richest footballer in 2023.
Mathieu Flamini: $14 billion
Mathieu Flamini is a retired French footballer who played for Arsenal, AC Milan, and Marseille. After retiring from football, he became a successful entrepreneur and co-founded GF Biochemicals, a company that produces sustainable chemicals. His net worth is estimated to be around $14 billion, making him one of the richest athletes in the world.
Faiq Bolkiah: $20 billion
Faiq Bolkiah is a professional footballer who currently plays for Maritimo in the Portuguese Primeira Liga. He is also a member of the Brunei royal family and is the nephew of the Sultan of Brunei, who is one of the richest people in the world. Bolkiah’s net worth is estimated to be around $20 billion, making him the richest footballer in the world.
Football is not only a sport but also a big business that generates billions of dollars every year. The 10 richest footballers in 2023 are a mix of active players and retired legends who have made their fortune in other ventures. From Ronaldo Nazário’s successful business ventures to David Beckham’s fashion and fragrance lines, these footballers have not only made their mark on the pitch but also in the world of business. The list also includes Mathieu Flamini and Faiq Bolkiah, who have made their fortunes in sustainable chemicals and as a member of the Brunei royal family, respectively. Check out our article on Ronaldinho – 5 Iconic Moments of Footballing Brilliance.