FX.co ★ World’s 5 highest-paid soccer players

Cristiano Ronaldo

This year, Forbes puts Cristiano Ronaldo on a pedestal, making him number 1 highest-paid soccer player in the world. He reclaimed the top spot from Lionel Messi who led the ranking in the past 3 years. In the current season, Cristiano Ronaldo who has recently ditched Italy’s Juventus to join England’s Manchester United is expected to expand his capital by $125 million. Some $55 million comes from the player’s commercial activity. Cristiano Ronaldo collaborates with Nike, Clear, and Herbalife. Apart from that, the player owns the CR7 brand that produces perfumes, shoes, and underwear.

Lionel Messi

Argentinian Lionel Messi, who has recently transferred from Barça to PSG, is ranked second on the current Forbes list. The legendary player is expected to earn $110 million in the current season, pocketing some $75 million from just playing soccer. The striker will also receive an impressive income for participating in advertising and commercial projects. Leo Messi partners with Adidas, Pepsi, watchmaker Jacobs & Co., and beer company Budweiser. Forbes estimates his profit from these collaborations to be $35 million.

Neymar

Brazilian Neymar, who moved from Barcelona to PSG back in 2017, takes third place in the Forbes ranking. In the 2021–2022 season, Neymar is expected to generate $95 million. His salary and bonuses from playing soccer are estimated at $75 million. In May, Neymar extended his contract with the French club through 2025. At the same time, the player had to exit earlier his multi-million contract with Nike over a reported assault allegation. After that, Neymar signed a shoe deal with Puma.

Kylian Mbappe

French football star Kylian Mbappe is the world’s fourth highest-paid soccer player according to Forbes. This season, the PSG player is estimated to earn $43 million, of which $28 million will be his salary and bonuses. However, the current season might be Mbappe’s last in this club. The soccer player has not yet agreed to re-sign the current contract. Meanwhile, the 22-year-old athlete is predicted to have a better career than Ronaldo or even Messi. After all, Mbappe’s statistics are better and his salary is higher than they had at this age. At the dawn of their careers, Ronaldo and Messi were earning less.

Mohamed Salah

Egyptian Mohamed Salah closes the top 5 of the highest-paid soccer players in the world. He started playing for England’s Liverpool in 2017. The Reds paid a record €42 million for the athlete at that time. For 4 years at Liverpool, Salah became the club’s best striker as well as one of the leaders in the Premier League. According to Forbes, Mohamed Salah may earn $41 million this season, of which $16 million will come from advertising. Today, the striker receives many offers from various brands as he is considered the main sports figure in the Muslim world, having greater authority.