Football is usually portrayed as a game of passion. But, truth be told, money has made the game much more than that.
Footballers earn big money via endorsements and salaries. Who earns the most? Here are the top five in the world.
Messi (photo, tophdgallery.com)
#1 Lionel Messi: The Barcelona star signed a contract extension at the end of the last year and that will keep him at the Nou Camp through 2020-21. The 30-year-old receives an aggregate of $111m as a result of $84m from salary and $27m from endorsements. He has a lifelong deal with Adidas and a number of other deals including Gatorade, Pepsi, Ooredoo, Huawei, and Hawkers.
#2 Cristiano Ronaldo: In the early stage this year it appeared that Ronaldo was past his prime, But then the Portuguese humbled his critics by netting 44 goals in 43 matches in all competitions. That performance sustained his marketability. The Real Madrid megastar has a total earning of $108m, which is a result of $61m salary and $47m from endorsements. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has deals with Nike, Herbalife, EA Sports and American Tourister, along with a growing line of CR7 branded products.
Neymar in action against Croatia (photo, CBS Sports)
#3 Neymar Jr.: Paris Saint Germain spent a fortune to bring Neymar to the club. They paid £198 million last summer to get him. This season, the 26-year-old scored 28 goals in 30 appearances for PSG. That output could have been more impressive if it had not been for a fractured metatarsal in early March. Neymar earns a salary of $73m and obtains $17m from endorsements, creating a total earning of $90m annually. He works off the pitch with global sponsors Nike, Red Bull, Gillette, McDonald’s, and Beats by Dre.
#4 Gareth Bale: The Welshman grabbed the headlines of late with his awe-inspiring bicycle kick against Liverpool. That kick won Real Madrid its 13th Champions League title, the fourth in the last five years. Bale was bought by Real Madrid in 2013 for a record-breaking transfer fee of £90m. Since then, he has inspired Real Madrid to a La Liga title, four Champions League titles, two UEFA Super Cups, and two FIFA Club World Cups. Those performances have paid off for Bale. He grosses $34.6m annually with $6m from endorsements and a salary of $28.6m.
Paul Pogba (photo, South China Morning Post)
#5 Paul Pogba: In 2016, Manchester United paid Juventus a whopping £89m to bring Pogba back to his former club. Back then, that fee made the Frenchman the most expensive footballer in history. This season the 25-year-old made 28 appearances for Manchester United, managing 6 goals and 10 assists in the process. Pogba is now looking forward to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, having already won 53 international caps. Pogba earns a total of $29.5m annually as a result of his $25m worth salary and $4.5m from endorsements. The midfielder has a 10-year deal with Adidas worth an estimated $31 million.
