Read about the highest-paid footballers in the world. Football is one of the most lucrative and highest-paid sports in the world.
Football can be extremely lucrative, with the richest athletes taking home millions of dollars yearly in paychecks and endorsement deals. The following list of the highest-paid footballers in the world ranks players based on their yearly salary, not including bonuses or endorsement deals.
These numbers were acquired from Forbes, YouTube and other original sources’ annual list of the highest-paid athletes in each sport.
Highest Paid Footballers 2023
The list of 10 highest-paid footballers in the world for 2022 has been released, with some familiar names. The usual suspects like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are still at the top, but there are some new faces too. Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, and Antoine Griezmann have all broken into the top 10, thanks to their huge salaries at their respective clubs. Here is the full list
KYLIAN MBAPPE – $62 MILLION/YEAR
Kylian Mbappe will become one of the richest footballers in the world. The 21-year-old striker is currently on a five-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain, earning $62 million per year. Mbappe is already one of the biggest names in football, and his star will only continue to rise. In 2023, he will be one of the ten highest-paid footballers in the world.
Mbappe stated his desire to play for Real Madrid many times. Still, he decided against it and committed his future to Paris in an agreement that gave him control over player recruitment and coaching appointments.
LIONEL MESSI – $41 MILLION/YEAR
Lionel Messi – the famous footballer, is widely considered one of the greatest players of all time and is expected to top the list of highest-paid footballers worldwide in 2022.
Lionel Messi’s partnership with Socios, worth $20 million annually, adds to his endorsement portfolio, including Budweiser, Adidas, and PepsiCo. In a deal announced last June by Hard Rock International, he was also named Hard Rock International’s first brand ambassador for athletes.
Messi joined PSG shortly after he left Camp Nou. The French heavyweights offered Leo a staggering $41 million annual salary.
The contract was for two years, with the possibility of an extension to a third. Messi was named the best male soccer player in the world in 2021, winning the Ballon d’Or. However, he has struggled on the pitch in recent years, scoring only nine goals in 32 games for Paris Saint-Germain after scoring 38 goals in 47 games for Barcelona. Messi’s first season, however, saw PSG lose in the Champions League Round of 16 to PSG.
NEYMAR JR – $36.5 MILLION/YEAR
Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, commonly known as Neymar Jr. or simply
Neymar is a Brazilian and among the top-paid footballer. He played as a forward for the French club Paris Saint-Germain and the Brazil national team. Neymar is said to be one of the best players in the world.
The Parisian outfit will keep the Brazilian star loyal until 2025. He will be paid $36.5 million per year.
In the past decade, Neymar has consistently been among the top five to ten highest-paid footballers in worldwide.
PSG has included a substantial bonus in Neymar’s contract if Neymar wins the elite continental competition.
More on the highest-paid footballers in the world
CRISTIANO RONALDO – $36 MILLION/YEAR
Cristiano Ronaldo is earning a whopping $36 million per year from his contract with Manchester United. That’s an increase of $4 million from his previous salary, making him one of the highest-paid footballers for 2022.
His 464 million followers on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter give him the leverage to ask for high rates from sponsors like Nike, Herbalife, and Clear shampoo. He is also an investor in Tatel restaurants–including a new location in Beverly Hills.
ANDRES INIESTA – $31 MILLION / YEAR
Andres Iniesta is among the biggest names in the NBA and currently holds the title of the 5th highest-paid footballer in the world.
His great teammate Xavi manages Barcelona at the moment. However, Iniesta, the 2010 World Cup winner, is currently managing Japan’s defenses.
KEVIN DE BRUYNE – $28 MILLION/YEAR
At number 6 is Manchester City’s Belgian superstar Kevin De Bruyne. The 28-year-old attacking midfielder currently earns $28 million annually and is one of the biggest names in the Premier League. De Bruyne is under contract with City until 2025 and has been a key player for the club since he joined in 2015.
The Belgian midfielder has contracted for the summer of 2021. He signed a contract to extend his loyalty to Manchester City through 2025.
Citizens will pay $28 million per year for this luxury.
Also Read – Top 10 Richest Footballers in Africa 2022
PAUL POGBA – $27 MILLION/YEAR
Paul Pogba is one of the top 10 highest-paid footballers in the world and will make $27 million/year playing for Manchester United. He is also one of the famous in the NBA and will be on the top 10 richest footballers list by 2022.
Pogba won football’s ultimate prize with France at World Cup 2018. Still, his second season at Manchester United yielded only silverware in his first year – something that both player and club likely hoped for more than just the Europa League. He will likely leave the country for free this summer.
ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI – $27 MILLION/YEAR
Robert Lewandowski is a Polish professional footballer who plays as a striker for Bayern Munich. His current contract, signed on July 10, 2014, runs until June 30, 2021, and he has an annual salary of $27 million. The five-year deal will see him earn $115 million with Bayern Munich.
Lewandowski, who will be 34 next season, shows no signs of slowing down. He is one of 10 players to score more than 500 goals during their career, placing him first on the all-time list. For Poland, he ranks second with 48 goals in 90 appearances.
GARETH BALE – $26 MILLION / YEAR
Gareth Bale is currently the highest-paid footballer in the world, earning a staggering $26 million per year from Real Madrid. He is closely followed by Cristiano Ronaldo, who takes home $24 million annually from Juventus.
He has won four Champions Leagues and scored in two finals, including the goal against Liverpool, considered the greatest goal of all time.
The Welshman, who is barely on the team, spends more time on golf than on the pitch. His relations with the club and the press are at an all-time low. The pay cheque may help, but it’s not a bad thing.
EDEN HAZARD – $26 MILLION / YEAR
He is a Belgian professional footballer who played for Real Madrid’s Spanish club and captains the Belgium national team. Eden Hazard is considered one of the world’s best players. In June 2019, he was ranked by Forbes as the seventh highest-paid footballer in the world, earning an annual salary of $26 million.
Real Madrid is second only to Manchester United, paying high wages and failing to get the best from footballers.
Bale holds a substantial trophy call, but Hazard has spent most of his time at Real Madrid in treatment rooms since he joined Chelsea in 2019.
He hasn’t always been in sparkling form since he joined the team.
Conclusion
In conclusion, these are the top 10 highest-paid footballers in the world in 2022. This list is based on many sources and factors, including club contracts, endorsement deals, and other business ventures. Some of these players are already well-established, while others are up-and-coming talents that will impact in the coming years.