6 of the richest football stars in 2023 – net worths, ranked: from Cristiano Ronaldo’s Louis Vuitton and Nike millions, to Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami CF deal and Neymar’s FC contract with a mansion

Dec 5 , 2023

Football’s top earners in 2023: Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe. Photos: @leomessi,
@neymarjr, @k.mbappe/Instagram — Football’s top earners in 2023: Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe. Photos: @leomessi, @neymarjr, @k.mbappe/Instagram

French star Kylian Mbappé may or may not remain with Paris Saint-Germain, but his endorsements with Nike, Hublot and Sorare keep the money coming in

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr FC signing earned him around US$200 million – that and his big-brand endorsement portfolio takes him to the top

Talented on the pitch and rewarded in their bank accounts: the richest football stars in 2023 have not only ensured that they cash in with their clubs, but also from endorsement deals, like other top athletes. And you can bet big brands are willing to dish out when it comes to these megastars.

From lifetime contracts to millions in the bank, here’s how these football stars, from Lionel Messi who won his eighth Ballon d’Or award, to Manchester City’s prolific scorer Erling Haaland, are earning.

6. Erling Haaland: US$58 million

Manchester City’s Erling Haaland has a career deal with Nike. Photo: @erling.haaland/Instagram

The Norwegian superstar scored 52 goals in competitions last season, breaking the record for a Premier League player. His success has attracted competition, prompting Manchester City to reopen contract talks, reports Forbes.

Erling Haaland’s on-field deals are estimated to be around US$46 million, while his off-field earnings amount to around US$12 million. He has a deal with Nike and was on the cover of the EA Sports FC 2024 video game. According to The Telegraph, Haaland signed a deal with Nike to be his boot manufacturer for the rest of his career. The 10-year-plus contract has been viewed as likely to be the most lucrative in the history of football.

The superstar striker also signed deals with Breitling, has equity in Hyperice, and partnered with streaming service Viaplay to make a documentary on his move to City called Haaland: The Big Decision.

5. Karim Benzema: US$106 million

Karim Benzema moved to Saudi Arabia. Photo: @karimbenzema/Instagram

Striker Karim Benzema followed in Cristiano Ronaldo’s footsteps by moving to Saudi Arabia, joining Al Ittihad Club. He said the decision was motivated by wanting to be in a country “where I feel people are already like me”, per Forbes.

His on-field earnings come to around US$100 million, while his off-field earnings come in at around US$6 million. His sponsors include the likes of Adidas, Hyundai and EA Sports. His contribution to football has not only earned him the respect of his peers but also the prestigious Ballon d’Or award in 2022.

4. Kylian Mbappé: US$110 million

Kylian Mbappé’s future with Paris Saint-Germain isn’t yet written in stone. Photo: @k.mbappe/Instagram