Forbes has released the latest rankings of the highest paid footballers in the world.
According to Forbes rankings, Cristiano Ronaldo replaces Lionel Messi as highest-paid footballer in the world this season.
Forbes revealed how they compile the list. They speak with clubs, players’ agents, commercial sponsors and worldwide soccer experts.
All figures are converted to U.S. dollars using the current exchange rate and include salaries (pre-tax) for the 2021-22 season, bonuses and endorsements. Transfer fees are excluded.
Here’s The List of Top 10 World’s Highest Paid Footballers;
1. Cristiano Ronaldo – Manchester United
Total Earnings: $125 million annually before taxes.
The 36-year-old is set to make $125m with $70m coming from his salary and bonuses and $55m from endorsements.
Ronaldo returned to United last month after 12 years away from Old Trafford and has since found the back of the net four times in his three appearances against teams Newcastle United, Young Boys and West Ham United.
Only three athletes are set to earn more than Ronaldo from sponsorship. These are Roger Federer ($90m), LeBron James ($65m) and Tiger Woods ($60m).
2. Lionel Messi – Paris Saint-Germain
Total Earnings: $110 million annually before taxes.
Messi, who topped last year’s rankings, falls to second despite sealing a lucrative move to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer.
His total earning is made up of $75m from his salary and bonuses and $35m in endorsements.
Messi’s new salary at PSG is a cut from what he would have made if he could have stayed at Barça but keeps him the sport’s highest-paid player on the pitch, along with Neymar.
However, Ronaldo brings in $55 million in endorsements compared to Messi’s $35 million to beat him in total earnings.
3. Neymar, Jr – Paris Saint-Germain
Total Earnings: $95 million annually before taxes.
The 29-year-old Brazilian comes in at number 3. His total earnings is made up of $75m from his salary and bonuses and $30m in endorsements.
After an early exit of his contract with Nike over a reported assault allegation from a Swoosh employee, Neymar signed a shoe deal with Puma that has celebrated his flashy style.
4. Kylian Mbappe – Paris Saint-Germain
Total Earnings: $43 million annually before taxes.
The 22-year-old Frenchman comes in at number 4. This means PSG has 3 players making it in the top five highest-paid players in world football.
His total earning is made up of $28m from his salary and bonuses and $15m in endorsements.
Mbappe turned down a contract extension with PSG that would have given him a bump to put him on par with Neymar’s pay and kept him with the club until 2024. The 2021-22 season is the last on his current contract.
5. Mohamed Salah – Liverpool
Total Earnings: $41 million annually before taxes.
The 29-year-old Egyptian is the only African player in the top 10 list.
His total earning is made up of $25m from his salary and bonuses and $16m in endorsements.
6. Robert Lewandowski – Bayern Munich
Total Earnings: $35 million annually before taxes.
His total earning is made up of $27m from his salary and bonuses and $8m in endorsements.
The 33-year-old from Poland has launched his RL9 brand of clothing, adding to his endorsement earnings from Nike, Huawei and Head & Shoulders, among others.
7. Andres Iniesta – Vissel Kobe
Total Earnings: $35 million annually before taxes.
Perhaps a surprise inclusion on the list is the 37-year-old from Spain. Believe it or not he still plays football. He is currently with Japanese club Vissel Club with whom he recently signed a contract extension to keep him with the club until 2023.
His total earning is made up of $31m from his salary and bonuses and $4m in endorsements.
8. Paul Pogba – Manchester United
Total Earnings: $34 million annually before taxes.
His total earning is made up of $27m from his salary and bonuses and $7m in endorsements.
The 28-year-old Frenchman is in the middle of a ten-year shoe contract with Adidas that is worth an estimated $45 million.
9. Gareth Bale – Real Madrid
Total Earnings: $32 million annually before taxes.
His total earning is made up of $26m from his salary and bonuses and $6m in endorsements.
The 32-year-old is the highest-ranked British player.
He has been endorsing TaylorMade since 2020, even taking part in a full-day fitting on YouTube with the golf-club maker.
10. Eden Hazard – Real Madrid
Total Earnings: $29 million annually before taxes.
His total earning is made up of $26m from his salary and bonuses and $3m in endorsements.
The 30-year-old from Belgium rounds off the top 10 list of highest paid footballers.
Hazard is the poster boy for McDonald’s in his native Belgium and has deals with Nike and Nissan.
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