Football perhaps is the most popular sport. Climbing to the top includes participation in a good team, lucrative endorsement deals, and excellent performance on the field to earn the place on the list of the wealthiest. Some players do this surprisingly well so that it leads them to a salary with an impressive number of zeros. The top 10 richest footballers in the world now and their net worth will impress you and maybe even inspire.
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Source: Instagram
So what name will be on the list of top 10? What footballer will be international number 1?
Top 10 richest footballers in 2018
Football is considered one of the most popular sport in the world, and it is not surprising that the best footballers are among all the wealthiest people on the planet. Soccer players earn their fortune both on the football field and outside it. Some advertise popular brands. Others invest money in real estate and various business projects. For most fans, it is interesting to find out the answer to the question: "Who is the richest football player today?".
1. Cristiano Ronaldo
- Net worth: $450 million
- Football club: Juventus
The world-famous footballer is paid $57 million a year. He earns such sum of money by his merits as a football player, he also has a lot of sponsors like Armani, Nike, Tag Heuer. The football star is the owner of the CR7 brand that sells clothes and aftershave. He is the owner of four European Golden boots and recognized as one of the greatest players of all times. Having such big net worth, Ronaldo is also known for his charity activity.
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2. Lionel Messi
Image: instagram.com, @leomessi
Source: Instagram
- Net worth: $400 million
- Football club: Barcelona
Having signed a contract with Barcelona, Messi earns a huge sum every week. He also has a sponsorship agreement with such brands as Pepsi, Turkish Airlines, Adidas, Gillette. Messi was the highest-paid football player in the world between 2009 and 2014. The player has won lots of important awards, including five European Golden Shoes. Messi is also known for his charity donations.
3. Zlatan Ibrahimović
- Net worth: $190 million
- Football club: LA Galaxy
His latest contract with Manchester United brought him a good revenue and raised him to the top 10 highest paid footballers. The Swedish forward became known for his striking ability and original technique.
4. Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior
- Net worth: $185 million
- Football club: Paris Saint-Germain
His transfer from FC Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain brought quite a huge sum of money (€222 million) that put him in the list of the world's most expensive players. Different sponsorship agreements also increased his net worth. Neymar is known as the business partner of NN Consultoria.
5. Wayne Rooney
Image: instagram.com, @waynerooney
Source: Instagram
- Net worth: $160 million
- Football club: D.C. United
He was known as the club’s leading goal scorer during his career at Manchester United. Now he moved to Everton, where he is paid a salary that made him one of the richest football players. Much of his career he played as a forward, and he was a record goalscorer for Manchester United and England national team.
6. Gareth Bale
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Source: Instagram
- Net worth: $125 million
- Football club: Real Madrid
As a player in Real Madrid, he earns 25 million a year. Gareth Bale has sponsorship deals that bring him $11.5 million every year. The Welsh winger is known for his speed and ball striking from a notable distance.
7. Eden Hazard
- Net worth: $100 million
- Football club: Chelsea
The attacking midfielder of Chelsea earns $15 million a year. He also works with many known companies at the terms of sponsorship. The Belgian attacking midfielder is famous for his skills. On 26 June 2017, he became part-owner of San Diego 1904 FC.
8. Yaya Touré
Image: instagram.com, @toureyayaofficial
Source: Instagram
- Net worth: $70 million
- Football club: Superleague Greece
The Ivorian central midfielder shows great results in recent games. He was awarded African Footballer of the Year in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 and had an auspicious time in Barcelona.
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9. Sergio Agüero
- Net worth: $80 million
- Football club: Manchester City
Manchester City pays him $23.5 million a year. His sponsors Pepsi and Puma pay him with $18 million a year deal. Sergio Agüero is an Argentine player who became known as Manchester City FC striker.
10. John Terry
Image: instagram.com, @johnterry.26
Source: Instagram
- Net worth: $70 million
- Football club: Aston Villa
He is known as the most successful player of Chelsea, but he moved to Aston Villa where he reserves $5 million per year. He is an English centre-back player, a member of England national football team who was captain of Chelsea. On 3 July 2017, Terry moved to Aston Villa.
Taking into account the current salaries, bonuses and elevating, it is not difficult to guess that football players earn big fortunes. Besides, those days when soccer players received money only from clubs are in the distant past. Many of them also make money on contracts with sponsors.
That was the list of the richest footballers in the world. The process of sports development is very dynamic, so some names on the list can be changed soon. Most of these players are already recorded in the history of the sport as the most successful and talented players.
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Source: Legit
