Top 10 Richest footballers in the world: As of 2025
In this article, we will explore the Top 10 Richest footballers on the planet in 2025 by their Net Worth.
Football is the world’s most popular sport. It is played in more than 200 countries worldwide and is one of the most-watched sports in the world, with a massive global fan following. Hence, it is obvious to be a billion-dollar industry.
In this article, we will explore the Top 10 Richest footballers on the planet in 2025 by their Net Worth. Top footballers have bagged enormous amounts of wealth, which has been further multiplied by endorsement deals, sponsorships, social media, merchandise, and personal brands. We have come up with the top 10 richest footballers, including retired ones as of 2025, who have demonstrated how perseverance, sacrifice, and hard work pay off.
Have a look at the list of the top 10 richest footballers in the world as of 2025
Brunei royal family member Faiq Bolkiah, who tops this elite list, made the story of football wealth to a climax one. However, with annual incomes in the hundreds of millions of dollars, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo remain the biggest football stars in the world today despite being in the twilight of their legendary careers.
| Rank | Footballers | Net Worth | Team/Club |
| 1 | Faiq Bolkiah | $20 billion | Chonburi F.C. |
| 2 | Lionel Messi | $850 million | Inter Miami CF |
| 3 | Cristiano Ronaldo | $800 million | Al Nassr FC |
| 4 | David Beckham | $450 million | Retired (formerly Manchester United) |
| 5 | Neymar | $250 million | Al Hilal SFC |
| 6 | Dave Whelan | $230 million | Retired (formerly Blackburn Rovers) |
| 7 | Wayne Rooney | $216 million | Retired (formerly Manchester United) |
| 8 | Karim Benzema | $200 million | Al-Ittihad Club |
| 9 | Zlatan Ibrahimovic | $190 million | Retired (formerly AC Milan) |
| 10 | Kylian Mbappe | $180 million | Real Madrid & Paris Saint-Germain |
Who wears the crown of richest footballer in the world?
Let’s meet the world’s richest footballer, who is neither Cristiano Ronaldo nor Lionel Messi. So, who is that?
Of course, Messi and Ronaldo are also among the wealthiest footballers in the world as of 2025. Having said that, does not make one the wealthiest footballer in the world.
That honour goes to Faiq Bolkiah, the US-born Brunei winger who currently plays for Ratchaburi FC in Thai League 1 and is reportedly worth $20 billion.
Who is Faiq Bolkiah?
Faiq Bolkiah is nowhere near Messi and Ronaldo in terms of being a footballer. Having said that, he leads the richest world’s footballer’s list just because he is a member of Brunei’s royal family. Son of Prince Jefri Bolkiah and nephew of Hassanal Bolkiah, who has been the Sultan of Brunei since 1967, Faiq was born in Los Angeles, USA, and holds both Bruneian and American citizenship.
Though born in the United States, Bolkiah decided to represent Brunei. He made his U-19 debut for the team in 2013, and after three years, he made his senior appearance. At present, he is the captain of the national team. As for his club career, he was part of the youth teams of former Premier League champions Chelsea and Leicester City, as well as Southampton, before signing with Portuguese club Maritimo.
Before signing with Ratchaburi in 2023, he played two seasons for another Thai club, Chonburi.
Bolkiah had suffered a devastating injury in February last year after colliding with a defender during his team’s match against Police Tero and had been out of action for nearly a year before making a triumphant return in Ratchaburi’s 4-1 win over Rayong FC last month.
Let’s take a deep dive into the list of the top 10 richest footballers in the world
1. Faiq Bolkiah – Net Worth $20 billion
Full Name: Faiq Jefri Bolkiah
DOB: 9 May 1998
Born: Los Angeles, California, US
Club/Team: Ratchaburi
Net Worth: $20 billion
Source of Wealth: Royal background (Brunei’s oil and gas reserves) $ Soccer
Height: 175 cm
Number: 77
Position: Winger
2. Cristiano Ronaldo – Net Worth $800 million
Full Name: Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro
DOB: 5 February 1985
Born: Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
Club/Team: Al-Nassr
Net Worth: $800 million
Source of Wealth: Career earnings, Social media presence, and his various investments, Business ventures, and assets
Height: 187 cm
Number: 7
Position: Forward
3. Lionel Messi – Net Worth $650 million
Full Name: Lionel Andres Messi
DOB: 24 June 1987
Born: Rosario, Argentina
Club/Team: Inter Miami
Net Worth: $650 million
Source of Wealth: Career earnings, social media presence, and his various investments, Business ventures, and assets
Height: 170 cm
Number: 10
Position: Forward
4. David Beckham – Net Worth $450 million
Full Name: David Robert Joseph Beckham
DOB: 2 May 1975
Born: London, England
Club/Team: Retired (formerly Manchester United)
Net Worth: $450 million
Source of Wealth: Soccer & Businessmen
Height: 183 cm
Number: 7
Position: Right Winger
5. Neymar – Net Worth $250 million
Full Name: Neymar Da Silva Santos Junior
Date of Birth: 5 February 1992
Born: Mogi Das Cruxes, Brazil
Club/Team: Santos
Net Worth: $250 million
Source of Wealth: Career earnings, Social media presence, and his various investments, Business ventures, and assets
Height: 175 cm
Number: 10
Positions: Left Winger, Attacking Midfielder, Forward
6. Dave Whelan – Net Worth $230 million
Full Name: David Whelan
DOB: 24 November
Born: Bradford, England
Club/Team: Retired (formerly Blackburn Rovers)
Net Worth: $230 million
Source of Wealth: Football career, investments, endorsements, and business
Height: 175.3 cm
Position: Full Back
7. Wayne Rooney – Net Worth $216 million
Full Name: Wayne Mark Rooney
DOB: 24 October 1985
Born: Liverpool, England
Club/Team: Retired (formerly Manchester United)
Net Worth: $216 million
Source of Wealth: Soccer, lucrative coaching roles, and endorsement
Height: 176 cm
Position: Forward & Midfielder
Numbers: 18, 8 & 10
8. Karim Benzema – Net Worth $200 million
Full Name: Karim Mostafa Benzema
DOB: 19 December 1987
Born: Lyon, France
Club/Team: Al-Ittihad
Net Worth: $200 million
Source of Wealth: Soccer, endorsement, and Investments
Height: 185 cm
Number: 9
Position: Striker
9. Zlatan Ibrahimovic – Net Worth $190 million
Full Name: Zlatan Ibrahimovic
DOB: 3 October 1981
Born: Malmo, Sweden
Club/Team: Retired (formerly AC Milan)
Net Worth: $190 million
Source of Wealth: Soccer
Height: 195 cm
Number: 21
Position: Striker
10. Kylian Mbappe – Net Worth $180 million
Full Name: Kylian Mbappe Lottin
DOB: 20 December 1998
Country: Paris, France
Club/Team: Real Madrid & Paris Saint-Germain
Net Worth: $180 million
Source of Wealth: Soccer
Height: 178 cm
Position: Forward
Number: 9
FAQ’s
Who is the richest footballer in the world?
Faiq Bolkiah is the richest footballer, having a $20 billion net worth.
What is the net worth of Cristiano Ronaldo?
The net worth of Cristiano Ronaldo is $800 million.
What is the net worth of Lionel Messi?
The net worth of Lionel Messi is $650 million.
What is the height of Cristiano Ronaldo?
The height of Cristiano Ronaldo is 187 cm.
What is the Height of Lionel Messi?
Lionel Messi is 170 cm.
