The highest paid footballer in history: Who is he ?

Imagine earning more than 200 million euros per year. This is the extraordinary reality for some football players, the absolute stars of this sport business. But who are the footballers who have pocketed the craziest sums of money during their career ?

In this article, we will explore the ranking of the 10 highest paid players in football history. Salaries, bonuses, sponsors, everything will be taken into account to determine who is the true king of.

Stratospheric income

To establish this ranking, we analyzed the annual income of players, adding up their salaries, performance bonuses and income generated by their advertising contracts. The result is fascinating and highlights the astronomical sums of money that football's biggest stars earn.

A ruthless ranking

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, the two historic rivals, are competing for the top of the rankings. Neymar Jr., Kylian Mbappé and Karim Benzema complete the top 5. But other football legends, such as Ronaldinho, Kaká, Gareth Bale, Wayne Rooney and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, also appear in this exceptional ranking.

So who is the highest paid footballer in history ?

The answer awaits you in the rest of this article! Get ready to discover the fascinating journeys of these extraordinary players and explore behind the scenes of a world where dreams and millions meet.

Top 10 highest paid players in history:

1. Cristiano Ronaldo: The King Midas of football

  • Annual income:More than 200 million euros

  • Evolution:His earnings continued to grow throughout his career, peaking with his move to Al-Nassr.

  • Lucrative clubs and contracts:Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and Al-Nassr. His contract with Real Madrid was one of the most important in football history.

  • Sponsors:Nike, Herbalife, Clear, Livescore, etc.

  • Extra-sporting income:Image rights,代言, its own brand CR7.

2. Lionel Messi: The Argentinian genius on his heels

  • Annual income:More than 130 million euros

  • Differences with Ronaldo:Less extra-sporting income, but higher salary at PSG.

  • Common points:Domination of the ranking of the highest paid players for years.

  • Comparison:Slight difference in income in favor of Ronaldo, but a sporting and financial rivalry as intense as ever.

3. Neymar Jr.: The meteoric rise and his XXL contracts

  • Annual income:More than 90 million euros

  • Impact on the transfer market:His transfer to PSG was the most expensive in history at the time.

  • Specific clauses of his contract with PSG:Loyalty bonus, bonuses linked to individual and collective performance.

  • Criticisms and controversies:His extraordinary income is sometimes the subject of criticism, particularly with regard to his sporting performances.

4. Kylian Mbappé: The French prodigy with a golden future

  • Annual income:More than 75 million euros

  • New contract with PSG:One of the most important for a player of his age.

  • Growing influence:His talent and popularity make him a major player in world football.

  • Future ambitions:Determined to win major titles with PSG and the French team.

5. Karim Benzema: Late recognition and a lucrative contract

  • Annual income:More than 35 million euros

  • Atypical route:Experienced a meteoric rise after 30 years.

  • Talent and consistency:Rewarded with a contract commensurate with his performance.

  • Comparison with other French players:Benzema is now the highest paid French player.

(The rest of the ranking will be detailed in future articles)

Don't forget to follow this article to discover the other football legends who have made history with their staggering salaries !

The ranking of the highest paid football players in history is fascinating and highlights the evolution of the football business.

Key ranking points:

  • Domination of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

  • Meteorological rise of Neymar Jr. and Kylian Mbappé.

  • Late consecration of Karim Benzema.

  • Presence of football legends like Ronaldinho, Kaká, Gareth Bale, Wayne Rooney and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Comparison with previous years:

  • Significant increase in player salaries.

  • Growing importance of sponsors and extra-sporting income.

  • Concentration of wealth in the hands of a small number of players.

Implications:

  • Impact on the financial balance of clubs.

  • Debate on pay equity in football.

  • Questioning the importance of pure talent compared to marketing power.

Provocative questions:

  • Are the exorbitant salaries of football players justified ?

  • Should we put in place a wealth redistribution system in football ?

  • Is football becoming a sport reserved for the richest ?

I invite readers to think about these questions and share their opinions in the comments. The discussion is open !

Don't forget to follow this article to discover the other football legends who have made history with their staggering salaries !