Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi aren’t just the world’s best footballers, they’re also the richest players on the planet
With modern-day salaries, bonuses and endorsements, it can be relatively straight-forward for the world’s top stars to earn a small fortune.
However, long gone are the days when players solely earned their wages from the teams they played for, and many footballers now are paid more by outside sponsors than their actual club.
The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have tapped into that market, and have been richly rewarded for their marketing exploits.
For Ronaldo, his huge social media following, Nike CR7 brand and sponsorships deals with likes of Tag Heuer, EA Sports and Sacoor Brothers have helped him amass an estimated fortune of $450 million.
Messi, on the other hand, is worth just less than his old foe - an estimated $400m.
According to Forbes, Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor are the only athletes who earn a higher annual salary than the Barcelona forward’s $111m annual income.
Ronaldo's income via endorsements far outstrips Messi’s, and makes him one of the world’s richest athletes.
The pair have become so marketable throughout their careers that their closest competitors have earned less than half of the sums gained by Ronaldo and Messi.
The likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic ($190m), Neymar ($185m), Wayne Rooney ($160m) and Gareth Bale ($125m) are also among sport's most wealthy individuals.
However, it’s not just current players who can earn a fortune from their talented feet. Former professionals such as David Beckham ($450m) and Ronaldo ($150m) gained contacts and links from their playing days, which they are still benefiting financially from today.
Former Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan is another example. The 81-year-old has an estimated net worth of $210m.
However, perhaps the wealthiest footballer of all is Leicester City winger Faiq Bolkiah.
The 20-year-old is the nephew of the Sultan of Brunei (Hassanal Bolkiah) - who is worth an estimated $20billion!
Christopher_Robin
472
The Revenue they earn dont matter to me. As long as their quality of football doesn't drop and as long as I get to watch them play, I don't care even if they earn 1 billion dollars per day. Why can't we just stop comparing them already. When I read the title I just knew arguments about Messi or Ronaldo being the best would come up. Come on guys...enjoy them as long as they play...they're not gonna play forever. #CR7 #LM10
whykallar
330
CR7 richest in soccer history, it's going to take a decade to find his replacer. He even eats good and wear well, likewise spend big.
Nesaiknruy_Legend
297
Basically a rich Arab kid who plays for Leicester reserves is the richest player. Emphasis on "Rich Arab" meaning he doesn't even need to play and still has mad notes...
SINGAM23
268
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi aren’t just the world’s best footballers, they’re also the richest players on the planet With modern-day salaries, bonuses and endorsements, it can be relatively straight-forward for the world’s top stars to earn a small fortune. However, long gone are the days when players solely earned their wages from the teams they played for, and many footballers now are paid more by outside sponsors than their actual club. The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have tapped into that market, and have been richly rewarded for their marketing exploits.
Iamtom_davidonIG
251
Ronaldo has to be richer, he is way more popular and has more endorsement deals, even his own hotel and brand which produces underwear and perfumes. Messi has fewer endorsement deals and no brand to my knowledge.
CR7RealMadrid12
232
I'm so proud of them, so happy for their success and so glad to be their fan... If we see they aren't like Beckam or Bale that came from rich or financially stable families... Their background is similar to many of ours... Other than being great footballers ( the best of all) they are also a great inspirational role models... We can learn with them that even if you aren't born with the best conditions that these world can give you, you can always achieve success with whatever talent you have... Such great examples for our Generation
Bocdsuyz
229
so does money really means everything in this world? then you're getting it wrong, MESSI IS FOOTBALL AND FOOTBALL IS MESSI say the truth and stop the money money matter give us a break
bitterpill10
198
Faiq is richer coz he belongs to a royalty family but as for Ronaldo its pure hardwork. Considering the poor background Cristiano comes from and then you see his achievements, it explains it all. Cristiano is the guy here ,he proved many wrong including his teacher who thought he would never make it in life. #respect
Jetemo
151
Both are irreplaceable legends. They deserve the mega box they earn. I don’t fancy McGregor who only display a show for one day and hit it big. CR7 and Messi have been consistently consistent for the past 10 years.
X-Anonymous-7
144
the richest player ever to play football is the young leciester city winger Faiq Bolkiah who is 20 years old who is the nephew of the sultan of Brunei which his net worth is 20 BILLION $