Soccer players receive a lot of money, love, and celebrity. So it sounds nice and gratifying to be among the highest-paid soccer players.
Soccer players are compensated well for their dedication and skill. Many individuals think that the best players may be identified by their earnings.
Based on their salary and endorsements, we have listed the soccer players who are currently making the most money worldwide. Move along!
Gareth Bale 13.
Welsh soccer player Gareth Bale now for Real Madrid. The Welsh player is a favorite of Real Madrid because of his extraordinary talent and mobility.
Not to mention, Bale scored in the championship matches as Real Madrid won the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Champions League in 2013–14.
By winning the UEFA Super Cup and scoring in the third major finals the following season, the Welsh player assisted the squad in winning the FIFA Club World Cup.
In a similar vein, Bale committed to Real Madrid in 2016 and inked a contract that would keep him with the team through June 2022, with a salary and incentive package worth up to $33 million year.
The Real Madrid Star receives a $19.7 million salary and a $5.5 million sponsorship fee. He established Elevens Esports in February 2020 to take part in the inaugural FIFA eClub World Cup.
Adidas, Sony Mobile, EA Sports, Nissan Motor, Wish Shopping, TaylorMade, Altitude Mask, SWG Construction, and many other companies are among the brands that Bale has endorsed.
David De Gea, 12
David De Gea, the sole goalkeeper on the list of the highest-paid soccer players, is a terrific goalkeeper who is frequently regarded as one of the greatest in the world.
Since joining Manchester United, the Spanish goalie has developed as a goalkeeper. The Manchester United star became one of the highest-paid athletes in 2020 as a result.
De Gea has also played nearly 400 times for the “Red Devils,” winning the UEFA Europa League, three Community Shields, the FA Cup, the League Cup, and the Premier League.
David De Gea extended his contract with United in September 2019 to keep him on staff through 2023.
His endorsement fee is $3 million, while his annual income is $22.7 million.
Similar to that, his endorsement arrangement includes Pepsi Max, Adidas, and EA Sports Viva 15.
On top of that, Adidas designed a special set of goalie gloves in 2019 to honor his 100th Premier League shoutout.
Griezmann 11.
One of the best forwards in the entire globe is Antoine Greizmann. The athlete is one of the highest paid athletes in the world and a two-time Ballon d’Or nominee.
The French player also signed a €30 million club record contract to play with Atlético Madrid in 2014. Along with them, he also won the Supercopa de Espaa, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Super Cup, and La Liga Best Player awards.
For France, Greizmann scored roughly 14 goals, contributing to France’s World Cup victory in 2018.
In 2019, Barcelona offered him a five-year contract as a result of his talent and performance.
Moreover, Antoine became the fifth-most expensive player in history after agreeing to a €120 million contract with the Barcelona.
While the endorsement price alone is worth $5.5 million, his current salary is $21.2 million.
The player’s list of sponsors also includes numerous other companies like Puma, Huawei, Head & Shoulders, Gillette, and EA Sports.
10. Oscar
After spending two years at Chelsea, this Brazilian player made an unexpected move to the Chinese Super League in 2017.
He supported Chelsea during his time there, helping the team win the Premier League, League Cup, and Europa League.
Oscar also received two Chelsea Goal of the Season awards for his magnificent goals against Juventus on his complete debut in 2012 and QPR in 2014.
Despite this, Oscar has received accolades from supporters, rivals, and teammates for his talent and perseverance while playing for Chelsea, where he has scored 38 goals in 203 games.
Oscar received an offer of £60 million ($82 million) to join Shanghai SIPG based on his performance and track record.
His current yearly salary is $25.8 million, and his endorsement revenues are $1.7 million, for a total income of $27.5 million. Adidas is one of Oscar’s principal sponsors.
Mesut Ozil 9.
The German player, who inked a contract and rose to become one of the team’s highest-paid soccer players, has brought honor to the Arsenal squad.
Ozil has 36 goals and many assists in 182 games. He was a key member of Germany’s World Cup-winning side in 2014.
In addition, he helped end Arsenal’s nine-year trophy drought in England by helping the team win three FA Cups and second-most assists (19) in a Premier League season.
The 33-year-old player joined Arsenal after leaving Real Madrid. With Arsenal, he has agreed to a three-and-a-half-year contract (2018-2021) worth about $24 million per year.
The midfielder for Arsenal is paid a total of $23.2 million year, plus an endorsement fee of roughly $5.5 million.
Adidas, Mercedes-Benz, and Beats Electronics are among the Arsenal stars that the club sponsors.
He is one of the most paid players in the world right now, earning a total of $28.7 million. We must immediately see whatever he releases in the future.
Orestes Iniesta 8.
It was the first time a national team had ever won three major international championships in a row. The Spanish soccer star was one among the players that helped his country win the Euro Cup in 2008, the Global Cup in 2010, and the Euro Cup in 2012.
Similar to this, Andres spent almost 22 years playing for Barcelona until signing for Vissel Kobe of Japan in 2018. The Barcelona star committed to a three-year deal worth $30 million (£22.2 million) per year.
Then, in May 2021, the 37-year-old signed a two-year deal with the J-League team that will pay him $30 million year through 2023.
The player’s most recent yearly pay is $30 million, while his endorsement fee is $4 million.
The Spanish footballer, who had been associated with Nike for 19 years, switched to Asics (Japanese footwear) in 2018.
In addition, he runs the Spanish sportswear company Mikakus. Bodegas Iniesta, which Iniesta also owns, started producing wine in 2010.
Lewandowski, Robert 7.
The Polish attacker is regarded as one of the best attackers in the game right now. Additionally, one of the complete performers in 2020 was Robert Lewandowski.
The Polish captain, who joined Bayern Munich in 2014 on a five-year agreement, is also well known for his talent around the world.
The Polish striker gave Bayern another four-year extension, keeping him on the team through June 2023. And the annual salary is reportedly $20 million.
He was selected the player of the year by FIFA and UEFA in 2020–21 after scoring 41 goals during that campaign.
And while Robert’s endorsement fee is $7 million, his current income is $27 million. Nike, Huawei, Procter & Gamble, Opel, EA Sports, and numerous other companies are among the sponsors.
Due to his dance and workout videos, which have amassed over 4 million followers, Robert is also a TikTok sensation.
Paul Pogba (6)
Pogba primarily performs in the center of midfield. He can, however, also function as a deep-lying playmaker, a defensive midfielder, or an offensive midfielder.
He earned four consecutive Seria A championships, two Coppa Italia championships, two Super Italian victories, and the 2013 Golden Kid Award while playing for Juventus.
Similar to that, he won the Bravo prize in 2014. He was also selected for the FIFA Pro World XI in 2015 after aiding Juventus in their historic 21-year run to the UEFA Champions League finals.
Manchester United noticed Pogba’s singing career and began to scout him. As a result, Juventus sold the French soccer star to the “Red Devils” in 2016 for £89,3 million.
The French Star now makes $28.5 million annually, of which his endorsement alone is worth $7 million. Adidas and Pepsi are two of his principal sponsors.
He signed a deal with Amazon Studios in April 2021 to produce “The Pogmentary,” a documentary series on his life that would debut in 2022.
Mohamed Salah 5.
The Egyptian captain, one of the best players in the world, is renowned for his incredible finishing, dribbling, and pace.
Mohamed Salah has a stellar record for the African nation, scoring 43 goals in his first 46 appearances.
Salah received a new five-year deal from Liverpool in 2018 as a result of his outstanding performance. The contracts were signed with a salary and incentive package totaling £36.9 million, with potential add-ons of up to £43.9 million.
In addition, the player became the quickest player in Premier League history in October 2020 after scoring his 100th goal for Liverpool.
In the Champions League once more, Salah became Liverpool’s all-time leading scorer in December 2020.
Salah receives a $22.5 million yearly salary in addition to a $15 million endorsement fee.
Also read Roger Staubach Career
Kylian Mbappe (4)
Ladies and gentlemen, Kylian Mbappe, the youngest player on the list of soccer players in the world with the highest salaries, is unquestionably one of the brightest talents in the current generation.
The accomplishments of Mbappe amply demonstrate his viability. The player, who also earned the Best Young Player Award, scored in the world cup final.
The French superstar is also presently a member of the team Paris Saint-Germain.
Due to his extraordinary talent, PSG gave him a five-year deal for $20 million per year including bonuses.
Mbappé earned three Ligue 1 titles and three Coupe de France titles after joining Paris Saint-Germain. He was also chosen as the Ligue 1 Player of the Year and has led the league in goals scored for the past three years.
Mbappe receives a $26 million yearly salary in addition to a $14 million endorsement fee. EA Sports, Hublot, Nike, and Electronic Arts are some of the player’s principal sponsors.
Neymar 3.
One of the biggest Brazilian players in today’s game is this top-rated soccer player. In addition, Neymar has become one of the most expensive players in the world as a result of his success.
He formerly played for Barcelona before joining Paris Saint-Germain. From 2013 to 2017, Neymar contributed significantly to Barcelona’s success by tallying 105 goals in 186 matches.
However, he made the decision to leave and accepted the contract with Paris Saint-Germain. The move of Neymar from Barcelona to PSG is regarded as one of the most expensive in sports history.
Also included in the new agreement are $263 million, numerous performance bonuses, and a significant increase if PSG wins the Champions League.
He currently earns $76 million a year in salary and $19 million in sponsorship fees. Flutter Entertainment, Puma, Qatar Airways, Red Bull, Triller, and Epic Games are a few of his sponsors.
Ronaldo 2.
This legend cannot be stopped! For many years, Ronaldo has been in the top three of soccer’s highest paid players and is still going strong.
After nine years with Real Madrid, Ronaldo signed a four-year contract with Juventus in 2018.
Not to mention, Juventus will pay him an average of $64 million over the course of his four-year contract.
Again, since joining Juventus, he has broken numerous records, including surpassing Brazilian legend Pele’s record for goals with a hat trick against Serie A foe Cagliari in March 2021.
In a similar vein, the Portugal star has made history by becoming the first active team-sport athlete to make over $1 billion in earnings.
CR7, one of the most well-known figures in the world, has the most followers on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
Additionally, the player makes $70 million a year in salary and receives a $50 million endorsement fee. Numerous companies, such as DAZN, Herbalife, MTG, Nike, and Unilever, are among Ronaldo’s sponsors.
1. Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi, the goat, is the most expensive and well-paid soccer player in the world. Messi extended his contract with Barcelona in 2017 to keep him there through the year 2021.
In a same vein, Messi has won the European Golden Shoe and FIFA’s Player of the Year award six times each. His nation of Argentina won the Copa America once more in 2021.
The entire terms of the legendary player from Argentina’s contract were not disclosed at the time. He is thought to earn $80 million (€70 million) per season, though.
In 2019, Messi opened the Messi Store, a clothing line and retail location in Barcelona.
Additionally, Messi earns $33 million in sponsorship fees in addition to his $97 million yearly pay. Gatorade, Hard Rock Cafe Inc., Jacob & Co., Ooredoo, PepsiCo, and numerous other companies are some of his sponsors.
Conclusion
Here is a list of the top 13 soccer players currently earning the highest salaries (2021).
Soccer Player Salary Endorsement Ranking Fee Total income
1 Lionel Messi $97 M$ $33 M$ $130 M$
2 Cristiano Ronaldo: $70-$50-$120 million
3 Neymar $76M $19M $95M
4 Kylian Mbappe $26, $14, $40 million
5 Mohamed Salah $12M $22.5M $37.5M
Paul Pogba: $28.5M, $7M, and $35.5M
Robert Lewandowski, $7, $27, $7, $34 million
8 Andres Iniesta $34 million, $4 million
9 Mesut Ozil $23.2M $5.5M $28.7M
10 Oscars $25.8M $1.7M $27.5M
11 Antoine Greezman $21.2 M $5.5 M
12 David De Gea $22.7M, $3M, and $25.7M
13 Gareth Bale $19.7M, 5.5M, and $25.2M
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