We all know that some of our most beloved sporting heroes pour their blood, sweat and tears into their sports, but we also know that they are generously rewarded for their talents. With yearly income, transfer fees and not to mention the countless sponsorships and endorsements they are given, many athletes earn even more than many of us could imagine.
Being the most popular sport in the world, it’s no surprise that its players are topping the rich list when it comes to athletes as their names are often unavoidable, with headlines in the news, magazines and of course when betting on football at Infogol, the tips are littered with their names. So, let’s take a look at some of the most famous faces in the sport and uncover just how much they have managed to make off of their raw talent and skill on the field.
Lionel Messi
The Argentinian football legend, Lionel Messi, is the highest-paid football player and second highest-paid athlete in the world; we are not surprised one bit. Messi takes home around $111 million each year, $84 of which comes from salary and winning, the rest being made up from his many endorsement deals, one of which being a lifetime deal with Adidas, this makes up a large percentage of his total.
We are not surprised that Messi is so well compensated for his participation in the sport as he is arguably the best player in the world, with countless records set, awards won and goals scored.
Cristiano Ronaldo
It’s no surprise that Ronaldo is as well paid as he is, he is the most famous athlete in the world and often regarded as the best males player in the world, with endless records broken and achievements for himself and his club. As well as making a fortune for his participation in the sport, he has become immensely famous, being the most followed user on Instagram and one of the most recognised names across the globe.
He earnt his status for being so highly paid when he transferred from Real Madrid to Juventus and had one of the highest fees in football history – £88 million. As it stands, it is said that Ronaldo earns around $105 million each year, with $60 million of that being his salary alone and the rest made up by his many endorsements, including Tag Heures, Herbalife and many more.
Neymar
With a footballing salary of over $70 million a year and an added income of $25 millions from endorsements with brands such as Nike, Gillet and McDonalds, Neymar is quickly becoming one of the wealthiest athletes in the industry today. He may not hit the top spot just yet, but he is the front runner when it comes to football history’s largest transfer fee, as when Neymar transferred from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain, the fee was a record-breaking $222 million, making him the most expensive football player.
As well as his wealth growing, he is also said to be one of the most marketable athletes in the world, setting him up to make even more money in the years to come and more endorsements on the horizon with many years of his career ahead of him.