5 richest footballers in the world right now (2022)

Football is arguably the most popular sport in the world. It is definitely the most widely followed game on the planet. Due to its global appeal, there is a lot of money involved the sport. Football teams and footballers are celebrated everywhere and this translates to an incredible amount of revenue across various avenues.

Footballers are some of the most prominent sporting icons in the world. Owing to the fact that so many of them have become household names all across the world, they have become the faces of some of the biggest brands.

Not only that, top footballers also land lucrative contracts with the richest clubs in the world. They'll also have multiple other tie-ups, deals with various companies and savvy investments, which help them lead a luxurious life.

Without further ado, let's take a look at five of the richest footballers in the world.

(Numbers courtesy: Wealthy Gorilla)

---

#5 Alexandre Pato (Net worth - $145 million)

Alexandre Pato during his one-year stint at Sao Paulo

On the pitch, Alexandre Pato might have failed to realize his potential and all that initial promise he showed may have fizzled away. After all, the 32-year-old currently plies his trade for MLS outfit Orlando City and has walked into the twilight of his career.

But off the pitch, Pato has done well for himself. In fact, that'd be an understatement given the fact that he is one of the richest footballers on the planet. Pato's only decent stint with a top club came at AC Milan. Even there, his stay was plagued by injury issues.

But the Brazilian has a net worth of $145 million which is more than the likes of Wayne Rooney, Gareth Bale, Eden Hazard, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Ronaldinho etc.

Pato's incredible wealth reportedly stems from smart investments, large property holdings and a very lucrative deal with CoverGirl cosmetics. He is also the owner of a chain of burger restaurants in Brazil named 'Fat Pato Burger', a fashion line named 'Alexandre Pato Seduction' and a vodka brand called 'Wonderpato - Brazil'.

#4 Dave Whelan (Net worth - $220 million)

Wigan Athletic v A.F.C. Wimbledon - Sky Bet League One

Former English footballer and businessman Dave Whelan became one of the richest men to have ever played the game thanks to what he did once he hung up his boots.

Whelan played for Blackburn Rovers and Crewe Alexandra during his playing career between 1956-1966. Shortly after retiring, he opened up several supermarkets called 'Whelan's Discount Stores'. He eventually sold them for a sum in excess of $1 million.

He later bought a sporting and fishing store called JJB and transformed it into the second biggest retailer in the whole of United Kingdom. He sold his stake in the company in 2007. Whelan is most famous for his stint as owner of Wigan Athletic, after purchasing the club in 1995.

He achieved promotion with the club 10 years later in 2005.

#3 Lionel Messi (Net worth - $400 million)

Ballon D'Or : Ceremony At Theatre Du Chatelet In Paris

When you're the greatest footballer of all time, you become one of the most recognizable faces on the planet. This obviously translates to lucrative endorsement deals. Lionel Messi has won the Ballon d'Or, football's most prestigious individual honor, a record seven times.

He is reportedly the highest paid footballer in terms of wages. According to Forbes, Messi earns as much as $165 million annually as salary and incentives. The Argentinian set up his own clothing line and opened 'The Messi Store', a retail outlet, in 2019.

Messi has also signed a lifetime contract with Adidas. At Paris Saint-Germain, Messi reportedly earns close to a million per week. The 34-year-old is admired all across the globe and it's only surprising that he is not the richest footballer in the world.

#2 David Beckham (Net worth - $450 million)

F1 Grand Prix of Qatar

Is there a more recognizable face from the world of football than David Beckham? He had an illustrious career and is the first English footballer to win the league in four different countries. His immense popularity stemmed from his incredible technical ability and also from his good looks.

Beckham was the most marketable player of the 2000s. He was one of the best free-kick takers around, had a charming personality and played for some of the biggest clubs in the world. He has investments in various sectors like food and drinks, fashion, television and entertainment and more.

He is the co-owner of MLS outfit Inter Miami. Beckham has a lucrative endorsement deal with the retailer H&M. Tudor watches, Haig Club whisky, Breitling, Sainsbury's, Armani, Gillette, AIA Group, Adidas and Pepsi Co. are all big brands he has collaborated with.

#1 Cristiano Ronaldo (Net worth - $450 million)

Manchester United v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Premier League

Yet another player who is in the argument for the greatest footballer of all time, Cristiano Ronaldo, is one of the most popular sporting icons on the planet. Ronaldo is a machine and even at the age of 36, he continues to be one of the best footballers in the world.

The Portuguese international has won league titles in three different countries. He had record-breaking stints with Real Madrid and Juventus and has returned to Manchester United for a second spell. In addition to being one of the best athletes in the world, Ronaldo has also shown that he is a great entrepreneur.

He has opened hair transplant clinics across Spain and Portugal called 'Insparya'. Ronaldo has a lucrative deal with Nike and has collaborated with a number of top brands like Herbalife, Armani, Clear Shampoo and Unilever, to name a few. He also has a luxury hotel brand named 'CR7' in partnership with the Pestana Group. These hotels are present in Portugal, the United States and Spain.

The Portuguese international is the richest footballer in the world right now.