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Without a question, football is the most popular sport in the world (even if some people refer to it as the soccer; we’ll pardon them). An estimated 3.5 billion fans will see it. With 2.5 billion, Cricket is the only sport that comes close. Here is a list of the Highest paid footballers.
A high income is a sign of popularity. The figures have reached unfathomable heights, and the trend does not appear to be abating. Let’s discuss the athletes who eat the most delicious pie. The highest paid footballers players as of 2023 are listed here.
You’ll probably be surprised by a few of these names, though.
1. CRISTIANO RONALDO (AL NASSR) – $200 MILLION/YEAR
Ronaldo became the first person to score in five World Cups after more than 20 years in the professional game. In the list of the Highest paid footballers, He leads in the world, which may not come as a surprise.
He signed a two-year contract with his former team Manchester United in the summer of 2021, making him the highest-paid player in English Premier League history. Yet, we all know how that turned out. You’ll probably be surprised by a few of these names, though.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner recently moved to Al Nassr, where he now earns a stunning $200 million annually as a result of having “winning everything in Europe.” He is now the highest-paid football player in the world.
There is no disputing that the Portuguese pro’s move is one heck of a payday, whatever the controversy it has generated.
Read: Does FC Barcelona pay Robert Lewandowski more than Bayern Munich did?
2. KYLIAN MBAPPE (PSG) – $128 MILLION/YEAR
On this list of Highest Paid Footballers, the French giants will appear several times. One club, PSG, provides three of the top four football players with their primary source of income.
Surprisingly, the Parisians still can’t claim the UEFA Champions League title. Yet, before signing his contract with PSG, Kylian Mbappe held the title of the highest-paid footballer in the world.
Although regularly expressing a desire to play for Real Madrid, Mbappe decided against doing so and instead committed his future to Paris in a contract that reportedly gives him authority over player and coach hire.
Maybe, that will lessen the pain of the Champo knockouts’ inevitable bottling up next season.
Read: Is Moses Kuria New Chinese Influencer In The Town?
3. LIONEL MESSI (PSG) – $120 MILLION/YEAR
Arguably the greatest player in the game’s history will take third place. With his World Cup performance, it’s difficult to argue against Lionel Messi’s GOAT status. He is among the highest paid footballers.
After unexpectedly deciding to leave Barcelona in the summer of 2021, the Argentine superstar became a free agent.
Messi soon after leaving Camp Nou joined PSG. With off-field earnings pushing his total close to $120 million, the French heavyweights offered Leo a staggering $41 million net annual compensation.
4. NEYMAR JR (PSG) – $68.5 MILLION/YEAR
Neymar, a teammate of Messi’s, is up next in the list of Highest Paid Footballers. He extended his deal with PSG through the summer of 2021.
The Brazilian star will remain committed to the Parisian team through the summer of 2025 and will be compensated with $36.5 million annually. He won’t be far from the $70 million milestone if you factor in an additional $32 million in off-field earnings.
In the past ten years, Neymar has consistently ranked among the top five or ten players in the world.
Even though he has won everything in France, he would gladly exchange many local championships for the coveted UEFA Champions League hardware.
In relation to that, PSG has a sizable bonus clause in Neymar’s contract that will kick in if the club wins the top continental competition.
5. MOHAMED SALAH (LIVERPOOL) – $53MILLION / YEAR
Beginning in July 2022, Liverpool’s Egyptian king signed a new three-year contract, joining him the list of Highest Paid Footballers.
After an incredible 176 goals in 290 games during his tenure at Anfield, it was well-deserved.
After a disappointing 2022–23 season, Salah is now more crucial to his club than ever.
6. ERLING HAALAND (MANCHESTER CITY) – $39 MILLION/YEAR
The major acquisition for Manchester City has exceeded his lofty hopes after signing a significant contract. The contract came with highest prize, being one of the Highest Paid Footballers.
Haaland’s father had previously played for the Citizens in the early 2000s, which gave rise to the now-famous photo of a young Haaland Jr. sporting a City jersey. Haaland’s arrival in 2022 was not his first experience with Manchester life.
Erling Haaland set a staggering record for the game’s upcoming global superstar by scoring 25 goals in his first 19 Premier League appearances.
7. ROBERT LEWANDOSKI (FC BARCELONA) – $34 MILLION/YEAR
The Polish striker has a four-year deal with Bayern Munich that will keep him there through June 2023 and pay him an estimated $20 million per year. This admits him to the envious list of Highest Paid Footballers.
He broke Gerd Müller’s 49-year-old Bundesliga record with 41 goals at the end of the 2020–21 campaign, helping Bayern win its ninth consecutive league championship.
He received the FIFA and UEFA Player of the Year awards in 2020. Lewandowski rose to fame on TikTok during the pandemic for his dance and workout videos. He has 4 million platform followers.
Lewandowski owns Foods by Ann with his wife, a Polish karate champion, to sell his RL9 Coffee and a line of wholesome snacks and beverages.
8. EDEN HAZARD (REAL MADRID) – $31 MILLION / YEAR
When it comes to paying players enormous salaries and then failing to get the best out of them, Real Madrid is only second to Manchester United. Hazard receives $31 million per year making him one of the Highest Paid Footballers.
Since arriving at Real Madrid in 2019 from Chelsea, Hazard has spent the majority of his time in the medical facility.
He hasn’t always been at his best when he has made the team, either.
9. ANDRES INIESTA (VISSEL KOBE) – $30 MILLION / YEAR
Recognize that you believed Iniesta had quit. No, the man who scored the game-winning goal in the 2010 World Cup final is currently stunning defenses in Japan, not his great teammate Xavi who is currently in charge of Barcelona.
He quit the limelight but his name stuck among the Highest Paid Footballers.
Iniesta has won the Emperor’s Cup and the Japanese Super Cup with his new team since joining “Vissell Kobe” in 2018. He’s 38 years old, but he still has time to play.
10. KEVIN DE BRUYNE (MANCHESTER CITY) – $29 MILLION/YEAR
He earns a sizable salary because he is undoubtedly the best player in the world right now. No doubt he is one of the Highest Paid Footballers.
The midfielder from Belgium has agreed to resign in the summer of 2021. He has signed a document extending his loyalty to Manchester City through 2025.
The exact cost of this luxury for the Citizens is unknown, but it will exceed $24 million annually. You should also factor in the off-field income of a few million dollars.
