Here is the list of the World highest-paid footballers in 2021-22.
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When discussing the highest-earning football players, our thoughts often go to Ronaldo or Messi. However, we might not know who else is on the list of top earners. Therefore, we have compiled information on the highest-paid players in 2021. The football world is filled with prominent figures, and we have researched and shared the highest-paid footballers based on their salaries, endorsements, and collaborations.
Forbes has published its list of the world’s highest-paid footballers for 2021, showcasing some iconic players. While there’s a familiar face at the top, who else made it onto this lucrative list? We’ve compiled the top earners along with their weekly wages.
World highest-paid footballer 2021-22
Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd)
At 35 years old, the Portuguese attacker continues to break scoring records, demonstrating that he is still a top player. For the 2021-22 season, the Portuguese superstar is expected to earn $125 million before taxes. His contract with Manchester United includes a salary and bonuses totalling $70 million. Additionally, his social media presence generates an annual income of $47 million.
Lionel Messi (PSG)
The Argentinian genius ranks as the second-highest-earning footballer, with an annual income of approximately $110 million. Despite this impressive figure, Messi has dropped to the second spot on the list following his lucrative move to Ligue 1 giants PSG. His contract with PSG includes a salary of $75 million.
Lionel Messi has made headlines by agreeing to join Paris Saint-Germain on a two-year contract. This contract amounts to around €481,000 per week, which breaks down to about €68,682 per day, €2,862 per hour, €47.69 per minute, or €0.80 per second.
Neymar (PSG)
Even though Neymar’s transfer to PSG didn’t bring the Brazilian to the top spot in global football, he is earning enough at least. Neymar Jr., the Brazilian forward for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), has an annual salary of $43 million, bringing his total earnings to $95 million per year. Additionally, he earns approximately $18 million annually from endorsement contracts. In 2021, Neymar ranked third among the world’s highest-paid footballers.
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
While Liverpool is ruled by the American financial model, the Egyptian attacker’s salary is far from being the biggest and is $24M annually salary and total earing is $43m. This income source gives him about $13M every 12 months.
Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
The French footballer 22-year-old is the most expensive player nowadays and takes 4th position in the top earning’s rating. His salary is almost $28M per year. As he is very young and most talented in the football community. He is part of the PSG squad.
In his senior debut for France in 2017, he achieved international recognition. At the age of 18, he played in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, making him the youngest player in the tournament’s history. He is also known as the second-youngest player ever to participate in a World Cup, following only Pelé.
Robert Lewandowski
Bayern Munich henchman Robert Lewandowski has been in the form of his life. Polish striker Robert Lewandowski is sixth with $35m. He is justified in feeling robbed of the Ballon d’Or last year, as the award was cancelled in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Robert scored the greatest number of goals last season across all of Europe’s top flights and has kicked on in the same vein this term. In fact, he has stepped it up in the 2020-21 season and already has 32 goals from 24 appearances in the Bundesliga.
Paul Pogba (Manchester United)
Manchester United has spent around $28M on Pogba as his salary and performance bonus. He earned around $6M from his sponsorship deals in 2021. Activision and Pepsi are the major contributors.
Ronaldo’s Man United teammate Paul Pogba is ranked 8th rank in this list. Paul Pogba’s performance at Juventus was amazing due to which he returned to Manchester United in 2016 with the highest fee of €34 million. The fees were highest in the England Club till now.
Gareth Bale
Gareth Bale, formerly one of the most expensive players to sit on the bench for Real Madrid last year, has been loaned to Tottenham Hotspur. During his loan period, Real Madrid paid him $32 million in salary this year. Currently, he ranks in the 9th position among players.
Antoine Griezmann
Although Griezmann receives the same salary as Pogba, he is just a million short in sponsorship income. With his $33 M total income in a year, FC Barcelona still paid him $28M a year.
