Top 10 Richest World Cup Players

BySophia Noor KTRK logo
Friday, June 20, 2014
#10: Mesut Ozi's total earnings equal $18.5 million.
1 of 10
Top 10 Richest World Cup Players#10: Mesut Ozi's total earnings equal $18.5 million.
Photo/Matthias Schrader

Cristiano Ronaldo's left leg may be the most important facet of the World Cup so far. He's injured, and if he's not at the top of his game, that means other teams have a real chance of winning against football behemoth Portugal.

Will Ronaldo risk his extremely lucrative career to continue playing? Check out how much he makes to play soccer, and nine of the other highest-paid FIFA athletes.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo - Portugal

Cristiano Ronaldo is the highest earning athlete in FIFA, with his total earnings equal to $80 million. We're not surprised because, apart from his lucrative salary, he has some huge sponsorship contracts with Tag Heuer and underwear labeled CR7 that earn him an extra $28 million.

Total Earnings: $80 million

Salary/winnings: $52 million

Endorsements: $28 million

FIFA Rank: 4th

World Cup Appearance: 3rd

2. Lionel Messi - Argentina

Messi is well-known for being one of the greatest soccer players in the world, if not the greatest, earning a total for $64.7 million. He also has some big deals with sponsors like Adidas and Turkish Airlines, which throws in an extra $23 million on top of his $41.7 million salary

Total Earnings: $64.7 million

Salary/winnings: $41.7 million

Endorsements: $23 million

FIFA Rank: 5th

World Cup Appearance: 3rd

3. Neymar - Brazil

Neymar is a rising star. His transfer to Barcelona last year was one of the ten most expensive transfers in football history.

Total Earnings: $33.6 million

Salary/winnings: $17.6 million

Endorsements: $16 million

FIFA Rank: 3rd

World Cup Appearance: 1st

4. Wayne Rooney - England

The pride of England, Manchester United rewarded Wayne Rooney, a 10-year veteran, with a record 4-year contract extension worth up to $104 million.

Total Earnings: $23.4 million

Salary/winnings: $18.4 million

Endorsements: $5 million

FIFA Rank: 10th

World Cup Appearance: 3rd

5. Sergio Aguero - Argentina

Sergio Aguero is reportedly the 8th richest soccer player in the world and has endorsement deals with Gillette, Pepsi and Puma.

Total Earnings: $23.3 million

Salary/winnings: $18.3 million

Endorsements: $5 million

FIFA Rank: 5th

World Cup Appearance: 2nd

6. Yaya Toure - Ivory Coast

Last April, Yaya Toure signed a 4-year deal that will keep him with Machester City until 2017.

Total Earnings: $21.7 million

Salary/winnings: $19.2 million

Endorsements: $2.5 million

FIFA Rank: 23rd

World Cup Appearance: 3rd

7. Fernando Torres - Spain

In addition to playing for Chelsea and the Spain nation team, Fernando Torres has sponsorship deals with Adidas and Pepsi.

Total Earnings: $21.3 million

Salary/winnings: $17.8 million

Endorsements: $3.5 million

FIFA Rank: 1st

World Cup Appearance: 3rd

8. Robin van Persie - Netherlands

Total Earnings: $19.5 million

Salary/winnings: $16.5 million

Endorsements: $3 million

FIFA Rank: 15th

World Cup Appearance: 3rd

9. Steven Gerrard - England

Total Earnings: $18.7 million

Salary/winnings: $13.2 million

Endorsements: $5.5 million

FIFA Rank: 10th

World Cup Appearance: 3rd

10. Mesut Ozil - Germany

Total Earnings: $18.5 million

Salary/winnings: $12.5 million

Endorsements: $6 million

World Cup Appearance: 2nd

Copyright © 2024 KTRK-TV. All Rights Reserved.