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#4 Paul Pogba
Endorsements: $4M
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Salary & Bonus: $29M
Total: $33M
Largest Sponsor/Partner: Adidas
Now that Alexis Sanchez has gone to Inter Milan, Paul Pogba is not only the highest-paid (salary wise) player at the club but also in the league. He earns $29 million as salary alone and this is despite the fact that he hasn't signed a contract extension at the club since joining them in 2016.
The World Cup winning midfielder is very popular because of his off the field persona and yet, he only earns $4 million from sponsorship. It is much more than what most players earn but in comparison with a few others, this looks like a paltry number.
#3 Neymar Jr.
Endorsements: $30M
Salary & Bonus: $75M
Total: $105M
Largest Sponsors/Partners: Nike, Mastercard, Gillette, EA Sports, Red Bull, Beats by Dre, DAZN, Gaga Milano
The top three highest-paid footballers in the world are also the top three highest-paid athletes in the world and it's not surprising given their calibre and their incredible popularity.
Neymar moved to Paris Saint-Germain for a world-record fee in 2017 and the Ligue 1 side had to pay a lot of money to convince him to leave Barcelona. However, the Brazilian now regrets his decision to leave the club and is trying to force a move back to the Catalan club.
Interestingly, Neymar's salary is more than Cristiano Ronaldo's.
#2 Cristiano Ronaldo
Endorsements: $44M
Salary & Bonus: $65M
Total: $109M
Largest Sponsors/Partners: Nike, Electronic Arts, DAZN, Altice, MTG, CR7 line of products
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner moved to Juventus last summer after nine years with Real Madrid during which he won several trophies and scored a plethora of goals.
The 34-year-old earns $65 million as salary at Juventus which is lesser than what Lionel Messi and Neymar earn. However, the Portuguese superstar's incredible fame earns him $44 million from endorsements and that's more than what any other player earns.
#1 Lionel Messi
Endorsements: $35M
Salary & Bonus: $92M
Total: $127M
Largest Sponsors/Partners: Adidas, Peps, Lays, Gatorade, Jacobs & Co, Mastercard, Ooredoo
Lionel Messi has been a Barcelona player since 2001 and he has scored 603 goals for the club in only 687 games and has won 34 trophies so far.
The Argentine has been with the club for so long and has rightfully earned eight contract extensions and ninth one is not too far. Even at the age of 32, he continues to surprise and mesmerize us with his performances.
Messi earns $92 million as salary at Barcelona and that's $17 million more than the player who has the next highest salary in football at the moment.
