Last Updated: August 30, 2019

1. Faiq Bolkiah (Leicester City)

Pay: $1,000 per week
Total Net Worth: $20 billion
Other Forms of Income: Royal wealth and inheritance
Club: Leicester City
Nationality: Brunei
Position: Midfielder

Current Leicester reserve team player Bolkiah might not be the most obvious name to top the list of richest footballers in the world. The Brunei national team captain is on a modest wage at the Foxes but it’s the fact that he’s the son of Jefri Bolkiah, Prince of Brunei, and the nephew of the Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah.

2. Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)

Pay: $645,043 per week
Total Net Worth: $450 million
Other Forms of Income: Sponsorship, CR7 brand, and business ventures
Club: Juventus
Nationality: Portugal
Position: Attacker

Ronaldo has long been touted as one of the greatest footballers of all-time. The Juventus attacker won the 2016 European Championship with Portugal and has also won a plethora of awards for his clubs over the years.

3. Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

Pay: $645,000 per week
Total Net Worth: $400 million
Other Forms of Income: Sponsorships and brand revenue
Club: Barcelona
Nationality: Argentina
Position: Attacker

Argentina national team captain Messi is widely considered as one of the finest players to have ever lived so it’s no surprise he’s at the top end of this list. His astronomical wages match his achievements at club level with Barcelona.

 4. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (LA Galaxy)

Pay: $138,461 per week
Total Net Worth: $190 million
Other Forms of Income: Sponsorships and brand revenue
Club: LA Galaxy
Nationality: Sweden
Position: Striker

It’s often said that great players go to the MLS to see out their playing days in a more relaxed environment. Ibrahimovic is the exception to that theory. The former Sweden international has been a revelation in the US since he joined LA Galaxy back in 2018. Playing stateside has enabled him to boost his net worth with more exposure of his Zlatan brand.

5. Neymar (PSG)

Pay: $520,000 per week
Total Net Worth: $185 million
Other Forms of Income: Sponsorships, brand revenue, and media work
Club: PSG
Nationality: Brazil
Position: Forward

Not many players can boast the marketing power in the modern game that Brazilian international Neymar possesses. The PSG front man is seen as one of the most exciting attacking talents in the world game. Rape accusations in 2019 might have damaged Neymar’s image and sponsorship deals but he still earns enough through his brand to keep his net worth up there with the richest.

6. Wayne Rooney (Derby County)

Pay: $1,634 per week
Total Net Worth: $160 million
Other Forms of Income: Business ventures and sponsorships
Club:Derby County
Nationality: England
Position: Striker

His success over the years at club level turned him into one of the most marketable players in the world. Endorsement deals with big brands such as Nike, Nokia, Coca-Cola, and Ford have only increased his revenue streams over the years.

7. Gareth Bale (Real Madrid)

Pay: $288,461 per week
Total Net Worth: $125 million
Other Forms of Income: Sponsorships and brand revenue
Club: Real Madrid
Nationality: Wales
Position: Winger

Bale might well have had a summer to forget in 2019 when his public bust-up with Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane saw him frozen out of the squad. Luckily, the Welsh international has earned down the years to ensure he doesn’t have to worry about his finances.

8. Andres Iniesta (Vissel Kobe)

Pay: $576,923 per week
Total Net Worth: $120 million
Other Forms of Income: Sponsorship and media work
Club: Vissel Kobe
Nationality: Spain
Position: Midfielder

If one player has made the most of the twilight of his playing days, then it has to be the highly decorated former Spain midfielder Iniesta. The ex-Barcelona man has won every trophy and award going including the World Cup, European Championship, Champions League, and La Liga.

9. Eden Hazard (Real Madrid)

Pay: $192,307 per week
Total Net Worth: $100 million
Other Forms of Income: Sponsorships and media work
Club: Real Madrid
Nationality: Belgium
Position: Winger

The most high-profile transfer of the summer in 2019 was Belgian international Hazard moving from Chelsea to Real Madrid for $111 million. It saw the talented winger increase his weekly earnings but also made him a more attractive proposition for endorsement deals.

10. Paul Pogba (Manchester United)

Pay: $350,354 per week
Total Net Worth: $85 million
Other Forms of Income: Sponsorships, media work and brand revenue
Club: Manchester United
Nationality: France
Position: Midfielder

There are not many soccer players out there in the game right now that court controversy more than Manchester United midfielder Pogba. The 2018 World Cup winner has made no secret about his desire to join Real Madrid but right now he must settle for earning a decent wage at the Red Devils.