The world’s 10 highest-paid football players in 2021, ranked: from Paris Saint-Germain star Lionel Messi to Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Pogba

Sep 25 , 2021

Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi made the list for the world’s top 10 highest paid footballers. Photos: EPA-EFE, Reuters, AP

The first and only billionaire football player, Ronaldo is also one of the highest-paid athletes in the world – but how much of his cash comes from endorsements?

Forbes’ latest rich list reveals that these sports celebrities, including Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Real Madrid’s Eden Hazard, will earn a combined US$585 million

Forbes has released its latest list of the world’s highest-earning football players for this season.

Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo, who is the world’s first and only billionaire football player, tops the list, raking in US$125 million from his salary and endorsement deals.

The 36-year-old icon, who surpassed well-known players like Lionel Messi, Neymar and Andres Iniesta on the list, is also among the top 10 highest-paid athletes in the world.

Combined, the top 10 will earn US$585 million before tax.

Here’s the full list:

10. Eden Hazard – Real Madrid and Belgium (US$29 million)

Belgium’s Eden Hazard is among the world’s highest-paid football players, earning US$29 million this season from his salary and endorsement deals. Photo: Reuters

Age: 30

Salary: US$26 million

Endorsements: US$3 million

9. Gareth Bale – Real Madrid and Wales (US$32 million)

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