Richest soccer players

by: Stacker

Posted: Nov 26, 2022 / 06:00 AM MST

Updated: Dec 20, 2022 / 06:53 AM MST

(STACKER) – Between a Netflix docuseries and a metaverse game in the works, the celebration of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar is just the latest reminder that soccer is the most popular sport in the world with great players earning top-tier salaries. But who are the wealthiest?

Using data from Celebrity Net Worth and other sources such as ESPN, Stacker compiled net worth data as well as life and career insights from the richest current and former soccer players in the world as of Oct. 28, 2022. Data points include net worth, salary, age, nationality, and soccer teams where they have played. Some players, such as Dave Whelan, have a significant net worth that doesn’t come directly from playing soccer. Others moved into managing after their days on the pitch.

Those who rank high on the list have primarily been in the top teams or leagues, including those from the United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, Italy, and France. Barcelona, Real Madrid, Juventus, Milan, and Manchester United are the teams shelling out most of the money to these top soccer players.

All of the wealthiest soccer players are men. Soccer, like many other sports, has a huge gender pay gap. According to research from Bloomberg Law, women still earn 83 cents for every dollar earned by men. Last February, U.S. Soccer agreed to pay $24 million to the U.S. Women’s National Team players for gender pay disparities.

Wage gaps are just one of many discriminatory practices women face in soccer. Just a few years ago, internationally renowned soccer team FC Barcelona made headlines when, during an international tour that featured men’s and women’s teams together, men flew in business class while women flew economy.

Players listed come from Spain, France, Brazil, England, and more. These figures show why soccer can be a lucrative career choice for athletes worldwide.