Off The Pitch Gossips
The 10 richest footballers in the world in 2025: Billionaire Cristiano NOT no.1
Last Updated on 13 October 2025
The world’s top stars are now building fortunes that rival entire clubs, and this year’s list has a few eyebrow-raising names climbing fast.
Usual suspects dominate most of the list, but some surprise names also make up the 10 richest footballers in 2025.
#10 – Zlatan Ibrahimovic – £142.5m
Zlatan Ibrahimovic ranks tenth among the world’s richest footballers with an estimated net worth of £142.5 million, a fortune built on more than just goals. Alongside partner Helena Seger, Zlatan turned his larger-than-life persona into a business empire.
Trademarking his name was a masterstroke, allowing him to cash in on licensing deals long after retirement. Endorsements with giants like Volvo and Vitamin Well further boosted his earnings, while savvy real estate investments added extra muscle to his wealth. Today, he continues to influence football as a senior consultant at AC Milan, proving the Zlatan brand is still very much alive.
#9 – Karim Benzema – £150m
With a net worth of £150 million, Karim Benzema sits comfortably among football’s wealthiest stars. His financial foundation was laid at Real Madrid. Over 11 seasons contract, the Frenchman took home a steady £15 million annual salary.
Benzema kept endorsements to a minimal, sticking mostly with Adidas and EA Sports. However, performance incentives from five Champions League wins pushed his total earnings well past the £150 million mark.
His current £75 million annual deal at Al Ittihad is taking that wealth to new heights. Even off the pitch, Benzema’s consistency has safeguarded his empire through every twist and turn of his career.
#8 – Wayne Rooney – £162m
Wayne Rooney ranks eighth among the richest footballers in the world with a net worth of £162 million. A Manchester United icon, Rooney’s blend of grit, technical skill, and composure under pressure made him one of the most marketable stars of his era.
At his peak, he earned around £300,000 a week at Old Trafford, before boosting his global appeal further with a lucrative move to D.C. United. Endorsements with Nike and Coca-Cola, plus ventures like a children’s clothing line, added millions to his fortune.
Rooney also invested smartly in real estate, including his lavish Cheshire estate, and after hanging up his boots, turned to coaching and punditry.
#7 – Dave Whelan – £172m
With a net worth of £172 million, Dave Whelan stands seventh among the world’s richest footballers. It’s a remarkable feat for someone whose greatest fortunes came off the pitch. A former player turned entrepreneur, Whelan famously spearheaded Wigan Athletic’s rise to the Premier League, with the club’s historic FA Cup triumph over Manchester City marking his crowning moment.
His fortune was built through Whelan Discount Stores and later JJB Sports, which he sold for £190 million in 2007. Even after selling Wigan for £22 million in 2015, his name lived on at the DW Stadium for nearly a decade, cementing his legacy in English football and business alike.
#6 – Kylian Mbappe – £187.5m
Kylian Mbappe is football’s youngest centi-millionaire and one of its biggest commercial powerhouses. Known as the fastest player in the game, Mbappe began his wealth journey with a staggering annual salary at Paris Saint-Germain before smashing records with a five-year contract at Real Madrid. His negotiations also earned him signing bonuses worth £9.3 million for PSG and £84 million for his Madrid move.
Sponsorships with global giants like Hublot, Dior, Oakley, and Nike add an extra £15 million annually to his fortune. Beyond his playing income, Mbappe’s Real Madrid deal gives him 80% of his image rights, making him one of the most commercially dominant players in football history.
#5 – Neymar – £262m
Since his high-profile move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain, Neymar has consistently ranked among football’s wealthiest. With a net worth of £262 million, the Brazilian’s two-year stint in Saudi Arabia alone added £128 million to his fortune, placing him fifth on the global richest footballers list.
Beyond salaries, Neymar has earned a minimum of £740 million throughout his career through endorsements with brands like Puma, Red Bull, and PokerStars. His lavish lifestyle, including a private jet and luxury amenities, mirrors his financial success. Family-run NR Sports manages his brand and image rights, while collaborations across music, film, and fashion further strengthen his commercial empire.
#4 – David Beckham – £337m
David Beckham, with a net worth of £337 million, ranks fourth among the world’s richest footballers. Combined with his wife Victoria, their total wealth surpasses £421 million, highlighting the power couple’s financial influence.
Beckham’s illustrious playing career with Manchester United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, and PSG earned him around £656 million in salaries. His business ventures, managed through DB Ventures, include partnerships with brands like Adidas, Tudor, and Haig Club whisky. Beckham also owns Inter Miami, whose value soared after Lionel Messi’s signing, and he confirmed his financial acumen by selling 55% of DB Ventures for £188 million.
His wealth extends to a luxurious lifestyle, including a car collection worth over £2.5 million, an art collection valued around £36 million, and a real estate portfolio spanning England, Miami, and Dubai.
#3 – Lionel Messi – £637m
Lionel Messi, with a net worth of £637 million, ranks third among the richest footballers in the world. His fortune is anchored by career earnings from Barcelona and Inter Miami, where salaries and bonuses alone have amassed over £1 billion.
Messi’s wealth extends far beyond football. His groundbreaking MLS Season Pass deal with Apple TV links player income to streaming subscriptions, while a lifetime contract with Adidas brought in £26 million annually and led to the creation of the Adidas Messi brand.
He also invests in hospitality and lifestyle ventures, including a four-star hotel in Barcelona, the MIM Hotel Group, functional beverages under Messicore, and a clothing line launched in 2019, building a fully integrated commercial ecosystem that will continue generating revenue for years.
#2 – Cristiano Ronaldo – £1 billion
Cristiano Ronaldo, with a net worth of £1 billion, is the richest self-made footballer of all time and a master of industrialised personal brand management. At 40, he surpasses other football legends thanks to his £200 million annual salary at Al Nassr, total career earnings exceeding £1 billion, and a commercial empire anchored by his lifetime Nike contract.
Beyond football, Ronaldo has invested in padel clubs, hair clinics, CR7 Hotels, and lifestyle brands, while endorsements with Herbalife and Clear Shampoo further expand his wealth. His ventures into tech, fitness, and social media, becoming the first human with over 1 billion followers, solidify his status as the first billionaire athlete in football history, transforming his personal brand into a multi-sector empire.
#1 – Faiq Bolkiah – £15 billion
Faiq Bolkiah of Ratchaburi FC, with a net worth of £15 billion, is the richest footballer of all time, creating a truly unique chapter in football wealth. Nephew of the Sultan of Brunei, one of the world’s wealthiest and longest-reigning monarchs, Bolkiah’s football salary, roughly £2,300 per month in the Thai league, is purely symbolic. His true fortune comes from the royal family’s £22.5 billion asset pool, spanning real estate, energy, and financial services across Asia.
Though he has not achieved major footballing success, Bolkiah’s career at Leicester City, Chelsea, and Maritimo has been driven by passion rather than financial need, showing how traditional capital power can dominate wealth at the very top of the sport.
