The Highest Paid Soccer Stars In The World Have Us Considering A Career Change!

Soccer | 2/12/24

The 2018 World Cup Final was watched by nearly one billion people worldwide, proving that soccer is, undeniably, the most popular sport in the world. Do you know what comes with billions of viewers? Billions of dollars of revenue, of course! With so much money flowing into the sport, the biggest stars are incredibly well paid. You might think you know just how much money Lionel Messi, Christiano Ronaldo, and Neymar make, but we bet you're not even close. If you want to know exactly how large their bank accounts are, you've come to the right place.

Lionel Messi Is The $84 Million Dollar Man

Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

Lionel Messi is one of the best soccer players in the history of the sport. At 30 years old, he's been around long enough to prove he's no fluke, and he gets paid accordingly. In 2018 alone, he is set to earn $84 million, a number which inflates to over $110 million when endorsement deals are added in!

Being great really has its perks! Some of the major brands Messi has contracts with are Gatorade, Adidas, Lays, Huawei Technologies, Pepsi, and Mastercard. He also earned extra income in 2018 for playing in the World Cup but the amount has not been made public.

ADVERTISEMENT

Neymar Is On His Way To Nine Digit Club Soon

ADVERTISEMENT
Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images
Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Neymar may have played second fiddle to Christiano Ronaldo during the World Cup, but that doesn't mean the 26-year-old phenom isn't earning his due as club player. Transferring to Paris Saint-Germain in 2018, Neymar is taking home a hefty $73 million paycheck.

ADVERTISEMENT

Including endorsements from Red Bull, Gillette, Beats Electronics, Nike, and McDonald's, Neymar is collecting around $90 million this year. Next year we'd be shocked if he hasn't joined the nine digit club. He would become the youngest soccer star in the world, if he were to stamp his ticket.

ADVERTISEMENT

Christiano Ronaldo Makes $47 Million In Endorsement Deals Alone

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Laurens Lindhout/Soccrates/Getty Images
Laurens Lindhout/Soccrates/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Based on salary alone, Christiano Ronaldo comes in third on our list, making $61 million. However, when endorsements are added in, those numbers grow to a gaudy $108 million. That's right, Ronaldo is earning nearly double his salary in endorsements. How do we get those deals?

ADVERTISEMENT

Like Neymar, Ronaldo has a deal with Nike. He also has higher end deals with underwear brands, CR7 Jeans, gyms, hotels, and American Tourister. During the 2018 World Cup, rumors surfaced that the superstar was looking to move on from Real Madrid. On July 10, 2018, it was announced he was transferring to Juventus.

ADVERTISEMENT

Gareth Bale Once Set The Transfer Record

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Diego Souto/Power Sport Images/Getty Images
Diego Souto/Power Sport Images/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

In 2013, Welsh born star Gareth Bale set the transfer record when he moved from the Tottenham Hotspurs to Real Madrid for $121 million. That money didn't go to Bale, but that's okay. He still make a very nice salary of $28.6 million a year. If only we were all so lucky.

ADVERTISEMENT

As far as endorsement deals go, Bale isn't as popular as his counterparts. He has one deal with Adidas worth $ 6 million. Still only 28 years old, we're sure other deals are coming his way soon.

ADVERTISEMENT

Graziano Pelle Is A Very Well Paid But Sore Loser

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
VCG/VCG via Getty Images
VCG/VCG via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Graziano Pelle is an Italian-born forward who has been playing for Shandong Luneng in China since 2016. He's making $21.1. million in 2018, and although he is very well paid, he has shown in the past he's not always gracious about it.

ADVERTISEMENT

Playing for Italy in a World Cup qualifier against Spain, Pelle was taken out during the 59th minute. On his way to the bench, he refused to shake the hand of his manager. The show of disrespect got Pelle disqualified from Italy's next match against Spain, and likely ended his chances of making the final World Cup roster if Italy had qualified.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ezequiel Lavezzi Is Making A Small Fortune In China

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
XIN LI/Getty Images
XIN LI/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

The decision by Ezequiel Lavezzi to decline participating in the World Cup was made easier by the $26.8 million he is getting paid annually to play for Hebei China Fortune. The club might regret paying him so much money, though. Injuries have limited his opportunities to get on the field.

ADVERTISEMENT

Lavezzi's last international appearance was 2016. He appeared in three matches for Argentina and scored two goals. It's safe to say injury concerns have played their role in his preference to focus on his play at the club level since.

ADVERTISEMENT

Oscar Dos Santos Made His Big Pay Day By Leaving Europe

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Power Sport Images/Getty Images
Power Sport Images/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Oscar Dos Santos, or simply Oscar to his fans, is making $25.9 million a year to play for Shanghai SIPG as a midfielder. Originally from Brazil, it wasn't until he left for China that his first big payday came his way.

ADVERTISEMENT

With his salary, Oscar is one of the highest paid players in Chinese history. On top of that he also has a small endorsement deal with Adidas for $1.5 million, bringing his 2018 total to $27.4 million. Not too shabby for a 26 year old.

ADVERTISEMENT

Paul Pogba Is Living His Best 2018 With $29.5 Million And A World Cup Championship

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images
Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

As if being a key member of France's 2018 World Cup Championship team wasn't enough, Paul Pogba is also one of the faces of Manchester United in the English Premiere League. For his services, the English club pays him $25 million. Add in $4.5 million in endorsements from Adidas and it's hard to deny Pogba is living his best life in 2018.

ADVERTISEMENT

Although he's only 25 years old, Pogba hinted after the World Cup he might be done with international competition. Once you've peaked why get greedy, right? Seriously, though, he might say that now, but we bet he'll suit up for France again in 2022.

ADVERTISEMENT

Kevin De Bruyne Is Worth All $22.3 Million He's Making

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Michael Regan/Getty Images
Michael Regan/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

When Manchester City announced they were paying a then-record British transfer fee to acquire talented midfielder Kevin De Bruyne in 2015, plenty of people turned their heads. Many even thought Manchester City had overpaid for the Wolfsburg star.

ADVERTISEMENT

Since then, De Bruyne has put his money where his foot with and silenced the doubters. In his second match for the team he scored his first goal. One month later he was listed as a finalist for the Ballon d'Or. So far, his 2018 season has been slowed down by injuries, but when he's healthy he is one of the best club players in the world.

ADVERTISEMENT

Alexis Sanchez Is Chile's All-Time Leading Goal Scorer

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images
Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Like Oscar, Alexis Sanchez is usually referred to as just Alexis. It's easy to become a one-name player when you're Chile's all-time leading goal scorer. Still 29 years young, we expect Alexis to be a major factor in Chile's next World Cup bid as the country tries to complete some unfinished business.

ADVERTISEMENT

Playing club soccer for Manchester United, Sanchez is making $22.3 million in salary in his first season. Before joining the team in 2018, Alexis starred with Arsenal, one of Manchester's English Premiere League rivals. His debut made him the club's first Chilean born player ever.

ADVERTISEMENT

Wayne Rooney Took His Talents To Washington

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images
Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

At 32 years old, English soccer superstar Wayne Rooney followed in the footsteps of David Beckham before him, and transferred to the United States. Beckham signed a lucrative contract with the LA Galaxy when he moved in 2007. Playing for Everton at the time of his move to D.C. United, Rooney was set to earn $22 million in 2018.

ADVERTISEMENT

On the international stage, Wayne Rooney has been a staple for England since 2004, when he was just 17 years old. He has played in four World Cups with England, wearing the captain's band in 2014 and 2018. After the tournament in Russia ended, he announced his retirement from international play.

ADVERTISEMENT

Thiago Silva Has Been A Steady Presence For Paris Saint-Germain Since 2012

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images
Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

On June 11, 2012, reports came out that Thiago Silva intended to transfer from Milan to Paris Saint-Germain. For the 2018 club season he's making $21.4 million, no laughing matter for a player entering the wrong side of his 30s!

ADVERTISEMENT

Silva has played in two World Cups with Brazil, showing off his untouchable skills on the international stage. If Silva decides to take one more go at glory in 2022, he will be 37 years old. If he's still playing at an elite today, it's hard for us to imagine he won't be there again in four years.

ADVERTISEMENT

This Is The Hulk You Love When He's Angry

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Power Sport Images/Getty Images
Power Sport Images/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Hulk, born with the name Givanildo Vieiria do Souza, is the 31 year old star forward for Shanghai SIPG and Brazil's international team. Playing at an elite level in China, Hulk is earning every bit of his $21 million salary. His dad, a major Lou Ferrigno fan, gave him the nickname that has defined his career.

ADVERTISEMENT

Of course, his path with the Brazilian international squad hasn't been filled with the same highs as his club career. Despite playing at a high level, Hulk was not picked to Brazil's final roster for the 2018 World Cup.

ADVERTISEMENT

Axel Witsel Made His Way Back From China In 2018

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
TF-Images/Getty Images
TF-Images/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Belgium-born midfielder Axel Witsel took a long path back home in 2018. Leaving Belgium in 2012 to sign with Zenit Saint Petersburg in Russia, Witsel went further east in 2017, signing with Tianjin Quanjian. One year later, he signed a deal to play for Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga for $21 million.

ADVERTISEMENT

While we're aware Germany is not Belgium, the move allows Witsel to play play much closer to home than he has in nearly a decade. He has played internationally for Belgium since 2008.

ADVERTISEMENT

Angel Di Maria Mysteriously Signed With Paris Saint-Germain In 2015

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Jean Catuffe/Getty Images
Jean Catuffe/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Angel Di Maria is making $20.6 million playing club soccer for Paris Saint-Germain. When he originally transferred to the club in 2015, it was under mysterious circumstances. One year prior he had transferred to Manchester United for one of the most expensive fees of all time.

ADVERTISEMENT

When he missed a flight for a Premiere League game one year later, eyebrows were raised across the globe. His manager even said he didn't know what had happened. A few weeks later it was reported and confirmed that he skipped the flight to take physical with his new club, which he had been sold to for $51 million.

ADVERTISEMENT

Kylian Mbappe Is Set For Life At 19 Years Old

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images
Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Not only has Kylian Mbappe won a World Cup Championship before exiting his teens, he's earning $20 million a year playing for Paris Saint-Germain. He has also been hailed by analysts as the best soccer player in the world under 20. How do we sign up for his life?

ADVERTISEMENT

Playing for Paris Saint-German is a dream come true for the star. Not only is he well paid; he gets to play alongside Neymar! Rumors have spread that he is available for transfer, but with a $210 million price tag, it's hard to see that happening.

ADVERTISEMENT

Luis Suarez Is Uruguay's All-Time Leader In Scoring

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images
David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Luis Suarez is one of the best soccer players in the world. His pay proves it, too, as he makes just under $20 million in 2018 playing for Barcelona. When he originally transferred to the club in 2014, however, the cost was not released.

ADVERTISEMENT

Eventually numbers were leaked and confirmed, showing his transfer cost Barcelona early $100 million. On the international stage he debuted with Uruguay in 2007 and has been transcendent for the team ever since. Not only is he Uruguay's all-time scoring leader, he is also the face of soccer for the country.

ADVERTISEMENT

Mesut Ozil Has Powerful Critics

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Mesut Ozil is making close to $20 million to play for Arsenal, but if critics are to be believed, he's not earning his paycheck. During the 2018 season, Ozil was reported to be in disagreement with his manager over a position change. His manager denied the clash, but held him out of the next match saying Ozil was ill.

ADVERTISEMENT

Actor Vinnie Jones chimed in on Ozil's absence shortly after, telling the embattled star, "go into hospitals and cook dinner for people... If you're not enjoying it, go and build motorways or something. Go and do something you can be proud of if you're not happy."

ADVERTISEMENT

Edinson Cavani Makes Paris Saint-Germain Unstoppable

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Jeroen Meuwsen/Soccrates/Getty Images
Jeroen Meuwsen/Soccrates/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

It's hard to believe the amount of money Paris Saint-Germain has invested in players for the 2018 season. You've already read about Mbappe and Neymar but they're also paying Edinson Cavani a cool $18 million to play forward. As a trio, the "Three Musketeers" have turned the club team into a nearly unbeatable force.

ADVERTISEMENT

On top of his club success, Cavani gets to line up alongside Luis Suarez on the international stage with Uruguay. Together, the pair almost single handedly punched the country's first ticket to the World Cup Final since 1950.

ADVERTISEMENT

Gerard Pique Is Barcelona's Home Grown Hero

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Gerard Pique is living his childhood dream, making $17.5 million to play for the team he grew up rooting for as a child. Born in Barcelona in 1987, Pique played for FC Barcelona's youth team before leaving his home to play for Manchester United.

ADVERTISEMENT

Playing on the reserve team and on loan to various teams for four years, Pique had an itch to come home in 2008. FC Barcelona bought out his contract with Manchester United and he made his hometown debut later that year. Since then, he has been a staple in the team's lineup and a key piece to Spain's international team.