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Cristiano Ronaldo has maintained his crown as the highest paid footballer in the world in 2023 ahead of his eternal rival Messi.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s millions on the pitch is miles ahead of every other soccer player on the planet.
The 38-year-old legendary Portuguese signed a record-breaking contract with Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr earlier in January this year, with the reported figures placing him high and above every other footballer in the world.
Ronaldo’s move to the Middle East opened the door to a number of high-profile arrivals in the Middle East including his former Real Madrid teammate Karim Benzema.
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14:00 - 08.03.2024
Cristiano Ronaldo trumps Lionel Messi in list of Top 10 highest-paid athletes in 2024
Ronaldo has leapfrogged Messi to become the highest-paid athlete in the world in 2024, ahead of NBA icon LeBron James and a host of other big names.
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15:00 - 10.10.2023
Forbes Billionaires dominate Top 10 World's Richest Football Club Owners in 2023 REVEALED!
Football is one of the most lucrative sports businesses in the world and that explains some of the world's billionaires invest heavily in the pipeline. This article will reveal the richest football club owners in the world.
Benzema, amongst a host of prominent footballers who made the move to Saudi in the summer transfer window penned mouth-watering contracts that left the footballing world stunned.
But this, however, came as no surprise to many knowing the club economic muscle of Saudi Arabia.
Pulse Sports reported that the Public Investment Fund, which owns Saudi clubs like Al-Nassr, Al Hilal, Al Ittihad, and Newcastle United, is the richest football club owner in the world - boasting assets worth over US$700 billion.
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Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Neymar are three names that have always remained at the forefront of football’s rich-list over the last decade.
And the three most-followed footballers in the world have once more maintained their stay in the list of highest-paid footballers in the world.
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This week, Forbes revealed their list of the highest-paid soccer players in the world - with little guesses as to who owns top spot.
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17:51 - 25.03.2024
David Beckham Net Worth: How Rich is Lionel Messi's boss in 2024?
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CRISTIANO RONALDO reigns supreme in Top 10 world’s highest-paid footballers in 2023
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According to the aforementioned outlet, the rankings represent the combined total of on-field earnings for the 2023-24 season, including base salaries, bonuses and, in some cases, club-based image rights agreements, and off-field estimates that reflect annual cash from endorsements, licensing, appearances and memorabilia, as well as businesses operated by the players.
Two Al Nassr stars make the list as well as two Manchester City players, with one player each from the Bundesliga, Ligue 1 and Major League Soccer(MLS) also rounding up the rich-list.
Below is a list of the Top 10 highest-paid footballers in the world in 2023 as per figures from Forbes.
10. Harry Kane, Bayern Munich - $36 million
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On-Field Earnings: $26 million
Off-Field Earnings: $10 million
In 10th position is Tottenham Hotspur’s former no.10.
Harry Kane has since established himself as one of the greatest strikers of the modern era.
Kane, 30, sealed a mega-money switch to German giants Bayern Munich in the summer, and that deal saw his earnings increase significantly to become the highest-paid British professional footballer in the world in 2023, taking home a weekly package of more than half a million dollars at the Allianz Arena.
Off the pitch. Kane signed a multi-year partnership with Fanatics, becoming the first British athlete to partner exclusively with the company’s autographs and memorabilia division.
9. Kevin de Bruyne, Manchester City - $39 million
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On-Field Earnings: $35 million
Off-Field Earnings: $4 million
De Bruyne is no doubt a City legend and one of the greatest midfielders of the modern era.
Arguably the best player in the Premier League, the 32-year-old Belgian is currently the highest-paid footballer in England - bonuses aside, and one of the highest-paid players in the world in 2023.
Since coming into the discussion of the world’s best, the majestic midfield maestro and Roc Nation signee has never left.
8. Sadio Mané, Al Nassr - $52 million
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On-Field Earnings: $48 million
Off-Field Earnings: $4 million
Senegal skipper Sadio Mané is a true inspiration for African footballers on and off the pitch.
At 31 years of age, Mané is the most prolific Senegalese footballers in history leading his nation’s scoring charts currently with 37 career goals.
After a successful spell in England with Liverpool, Mane left the Premier League to test new waters in the Bundesliga with German giants Bayern Munich.
However, after a difficult season in Germany, the philanthropic winger sealed a mega-money deal to join Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr.
That deal would essentially make him the highest-paid African footballer in history with regard to wages on the pitch and one of the highest paid footballers in the world in 2023.
Off the pitch, Mané has a number of lucrative deals, most notably with prominent sportswear brand New Balance.
7. Mohamed Salah, Liverpool - $53 million
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On-Field Earnings: $35 million
Off-Field Earnings: $18 million
Mohamed Salah holds down his position as the highest-paid African footballer in the world in 2023.
Salah edges out his former Reds teammate Sadio Mane on this list due to his expected income off the pitch.
The 31-year-old iconic Egyptian is already an all-time Liverpool great, and nearly became the most expensive signing in the Saudi Pro League after Al Ittihad reportedly offered a staggering $190 million transfer fee - only for Liverpool to immediately reject on deadline day.
Off the pitch, Mo Salah has a signature boot with Adidas and also has deals with brands like Pepsi and Vodafone.
6. Erling Haaland, Manchester City - $58 million
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On-Field Earnings: $46 million
Off-Field Earnings: $12 million
Erling Haaland’s meteoric rise on the world stage is one of the biggest fairytale stories in Norwegian football.
The 23-year-old goal machine is arguably the best marksman in football currently.
Haaland is also one of the highest-paid footballers in the Premier League, with some reports stating that the former Borussia Dortmund striker is actually at the top of the list considering the attainable bonuses at clauses included in his Man City contract when he moved to the Etihqd in the summer of 2022.
Haaland has a lucrative Nike deal and graced the cover of the EA Sports FC 2024 video game, which was rebranded after EA’s 30-year partnership with FIFA ended.
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14:10 - 08.03.2024
UPDATED: Top 10 highest-paid players in the 2023/24 Premier League season
Manchester City and Manchester United players dominate the list of highest-paid players in the 2023/24 Premier League season.
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19:50 - 05.09.2023
Steven Gerrard displaces Zidane in Highest-paid Football coaches in the world 2023 [UPDATED]
Football coaches are the primary brain behind every team's success in football as far as trophies are concerned. In this article, we will be reviewing the list of highest-paid coaches in world football in 2023.
5. Karim Benzema, Al Ittihad - $106 million
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On-Field Earnings: $100 million
Off-Field Earnings: $6 million
At no.5 is French striker and the current holder of the prestigious Ballon d’Or award, Karim Benzema.
‘Big Benz‘ as he is fondly called is a Real Madrid legend through and through, having helped the Los Blancos win 24 trophies during his spell, including five Champions League titles.
Benzema said his goodbyes to Europe in June 2023, and went ahead to sign an eye-catching mega-money deal with Saudi Pro League club Al Ittihad.
When quizzed about his decision to switch to the Middle East, the 35-year-old said: “It’s where I want to be because it’s important for me to be in a Muslim country, where I feel people (are) already like me.
“It will allow me to have a new life and I can’t wait to live there.”
As of 2023, Benzema is the highest-earning French footballer on the pitch.
4. Kylian Mbappé, Paris Saint Germain - $110 million
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On-Field Earnings: $90 million
Off-Field Earnings: $20 million
Sitting in fourth place is France’s golden boy and the ‘King of Paris’ Kylian Mbappé.
The Paris Saint Germain talisman has been embroiled in a nervy back and forth with his long-term suitors Real Madrid since 2020.
However, the 24-year-old Les Blues skipper ended up pledging his allegiance to his hometown - and for a mammoth price, it was reported.
Mbappé is the highest-paid footballer in France, and the highest-paid French footballer in history when his income off the pitch is factored into the discussion.
Mbappé has deals with Nike, RIMOWA, Oakley and Dior.
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13:41 - 23.09.2023
Faiq Bolkiah: 15 things about world's wealthiest footballer richer than Ronaldo and Messi combined
Faiq Bolkiah dethroned Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to own the title of the 'richest footballer in the world'.
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14:57 - 15.03.2024
UPDATED: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's Net Worth rises in Top 10 Richest footballers in the world (2024)
In this article, we will review the top ten richest footballers in the world in 2024.
3. Neymar Jr., Al Hilal - $112 million
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On-Field Earnings: $80 million
Off-Field Earnings: $32 million
In third place is Brazilian football icon Neymar.
Widely considered as the most talented Brazilian footballer of his generation, Neymar is no doubt one of the best players in the world.
The 31-year-old attacker said his goodbyes to PSG in the summer amid controversy over his exit.
Neymar signed an incredible deal with Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal in what was a huge pay rise from his salary at PSG.
He has consistently been in the discussion of the highest-paid footballers and athletes in the world since singing for Barcelona as far back as 2013.
His finances have always gone up as he has managed to sustain his commercial value despite being embroiled in a slew of scandals.
As of 2023, Neymar is the highest-paid Brazilian footballer in the world, and the most-followed Brazilian footballer in the world.
Away from the pitch, he remains as active as ever, with a list of sponsors that includes Puma, Konami and Red Bull. More recently, Neymar announced a partnership with Portuguese horse breeding farm Team Campline.
2. Lionel Messi, Inter Miami - $135 million
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On-Field Earnings: $65 million
Off-Field Earnings: $70 million
Lionel Messi takes no.2 spot on the rich list.
Messi chose to walk away from renewing his contract at PSG this summer, and instead opted to sign for MLS franchise club Inter Miami.
The 36-year-old Argentine legend is widely considered the greatest footballer of all time and reportedly turned down a deal worth well over $200 million from the Middle East in favour of a move to the U.S.
The 2022 World Cup winner and seven-time Ballon d’Or winner is the highest earner on this list off the pitch, boasting the most lucrative deals in endorsements and sponsorships with brands like Budweiser, Adidas, Pepsi, Activision, amongst others.
However, despite Messi’s mammoth earnings, he is still a significant distance behind his eternal rival who is no.1 on the rich list.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo, Al Nassr - $260 million
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On-Field Earnings: $200 million
Off-Field Earnings: $60 million
Holding down the no.1 spot as firmly as ever is Portuguese football legend - Cristiano Ronaldo.
When Ronaldo made up his mind to accept the proposal to bow out from European club football, that contract he signed with Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr automatically crowned him as the highest-paid footballer in the world.
In the history of the sport, no other footballer has been paid more by his club on a yearly basis.
Ronaldo’s effect in the Middle East has been instant, with some high-profile names making the switch to the Saudi Pro League in the summer transfer window.
The Saudis haven’t been shy about taking advantage of his celebrity star power.
CR7 has already appeared in a video posted by Al Nassr, wearing traditional Saudi attire, to promote the Kingdom’s National Day, and featured in another one for the upcoming Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou boxing match in Riyadh.
Reports have also emerged that Ronaldo could hold talks with WWE ahead of their annual PPV Crown Jewel, set to take place in Riyadh, this November.
Off the pitch, CR7 has since signed deals with brands like Livescore, Herbalife, Binance, and launched his brand of drinking water - URSU.
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