Who are the top 10 richest footballers? Also, Who is the top 20 richest footballer in the world? These are among the most frequently asked questions on the internet. Sportsmaona unveils the list of the Top 10 Richest Footballer in the World in 2026. Top 10 Highest Paid Footballers 2026.
Top 10 Richest Footballer in the World
| Player Name & Nationality | Net Worth 2026 | Main Source(s) of Earnings |
| #1. Faiq Bolkiah (Brunei) | 20 Billion US Dollars | Family Background |
| #2. Mathieu Flamini (France) | 14 Billion US Dollars | Entrepreneurship |
| #3. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) | 1.2 Billion US Dollars | Salary, Endorsements, Investments |
| #4. Lionel Messi (Argentina) | 850 Million US Dollars | Salary, Endorsements, Investments |
| #5. David Beckham (England) | 450 Million US Dollars | Salary, Endorsements, Investments |
| #6. Neymar Jr (Brazil) | 250 Million US Dollars | Salary, Endorsements |
| #7. Dave Whelan (England) | 220 Million US Dollars | Investments, Salary |
| #8. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden) | 190 Million US Dollars | Salary, Endorsements, Investments |
| #9. Kylian Mbappe (France) | 176 Million US Dollars | Salary, Endorsements |
| #10. Wayne Rooney (England) | 170 Million US Dollars | Salary, Endorsements, Investments |
Top 5 Richest Footballers in the World
2 automatic places belong to Messi and Ronaldo, the 2 modern-day soccer goats; meanwhile, the top 2 spot belongs to the guys who didn’t become rich due to any football perspective. Instead, their richness came from either family background or business investments. The only leftover (5th) place meanwhile belongs to David Beckham, who is also a successful businessperson.
David Beckham
The Inter Miami CF’s owner is a former football superstar. Featured for heavyweight sides like Real Madrid CF, Manchester United, PSG, etc and also captaining the England National Football Team. Then invested in different businesses and now with his 450 million US Dollars net worth, the freekick master is the 5th richest soccer player in the world right now.
Lionel Messi
You may argue on whether he is the ultimate GOAT or not, but with the FIFA World Cup title and the most titles among the footballers, he has already shaken hands with paradise. Apart from some big-money payments throughout his career and a plethora of incentives due to tremendous success, Messi has always attracted endorsers. No doubt, being one of the 2 most popular soccer stars, sponsors often paid him a high fee. Moreover, Messi has also invested in different businesses and is increasing his brand value every single year. Messi has a net worth of 850 million US Dollars.
Cristiano Ronaldo
In terms of just footballing aspects, including the on and off-field assets the soccer players have gathered, CR7 would rank the highest. However, among the richest footballers, he only stands 3rd as the top 2 gathered their worth from non-football aspects. Among the professionally active footballers at the very top level, Cristiano became the first-ever footballer to be a billionaire. Currently, the Portuguese sensation has a net worth of 1.2 billion USD.
Mathieu Flamini
Can you remember this name? Yes, he is the former Gunners midfielder. Flamini featured for EPL side Arsenal from 2004 to 2008 before moving to Serie A side AC Milan, where he also played for half a decade. Then he made a comeback to the North London side for another 3-season spell. Later, he featured for Crystal Palace and Getafe before retiring. Yes, he was never a world-class footballer, and neither was the major source of his net worth the salary or the bonuses. Instead, the Frenchman tasted success more as an entrepreneur. He has kissed the glory with investment, and it has completely changed his luck. Now, Flamini is multiple times richer than both Messi and Ronaldo combined. Flamini has a net worth of 14 billion US Dollars as of now.
Who is the Richest Footballer in the World Right Now?
At the top of the Top 10 Richest Footballer chart, there is a name that many regular football fans don’t even know. Faiq Bolkiah is the Richest Footballer in the World. Yes, Bolqiah played for the EPL clubs like Southampton, Chelsea, and Leicester, but someone of his class would never be in the top 100 richest footballers, if his only income source were soccer salary and bonus.
How Rich is Faiq Bolkiah?
Faiq Bolkiah has a net worth of 20 billion US Dollars. He is so rich that his net worth is higher than the combination of the other 9 top richest footballers’ net worth!
Faiq Bolkiah Net Worth (20 Billion USD) > Mathiue Flamini + Cristiano + Messi + Beckham + Neymar + Whelan + Ibra + Mbappe + Rooney Net Worth (around 18 Billion USD).
Why is Faiq Bolkiah so Rich?
Faiq Jefri Bolkiah is a member of the Brunei royal family and hence inherited a huge amount of family assets.
