Football is one of the most watched games in sports worldwide. Millions of fans cheer and root for their football club of choice, and even engage in debate about matches, players and coaches.

Footballers who are exceptional are paid thousands, sometimes millions of dollars to play for different football clubs. However, some footballers are richer than their other colleagues.

These are the top 10 richest footballers in the world and their net worth 2021.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo Net Worth $1 Billion

Cristiano Ronaldo is currently the richest footballer in the world with a net worth estimated at $1 Billion. He currently plays for Juventus FC. He has four children, including twins (a boy and a girl).

He is currently in a relationship with Spanish model, Georgina Rodriguez. He previously dated Irina Shayk for five years before ending the relationship in 2015.

Cristiano Rinaldo has won the FIFA Ballon d’Or 5 times just as his counterpart Lionel Messi. He has several assets and investments including a private jet.

He has the record of being one of  the most expensive players in the world because most top brands endorse him a lot. C. Ronaldo is also one of the highest paid football players in the world.

2. Lionel Messi Net Worth $500 million

Lionel Messi is one of the greatest football players of all time. He is an Argentine and plays as a forward and captains Barcelona. He has won five Ball on d’Ors and many other awards. He has also broken several records in football.

Lionel Messi is 31 years old and is married to Antonella Roccuzzo. Together, they have 3 boys. Just recently, he purchased a private jet worth $15 million and has since been involved in several charity projects in Barca and Rosario because he was also born with a growth deficiency hormone.

Messi has often been compared to Diego Maradona due o his style of play. His football skills are legendary and have sparked debate among football lovers over the years. Lionel Messi’s net worth is estimated at $218 million dollars which makes him the 2nd richest football player on the planet.

3. Neymar Net Worth $300 Million

Neymar da Silva Santos Junior is another wealthy footballer player from Brazil. He is one of the most expensive players in football history. He is known for his legendary football skills which he uses to dribble and trick his opponents.

Neymar currently plays as a forward at Paris Saint-Germain. Prior to that, he played for FC Barcelona from 2013 to 2017, but made his professional debut as a football player at 17.

Neymar is the third highest goal scorer for the Brazilian national team and also the third world’s highest paid player in 2021.n

He is also a Christian and tithes 10 percent of his earnings to the church. Neymar holds the record as the footballer with most endorsement deals. He signed sponsorship deals with brands such as Nike and Panasonic.

Neymar Jr is also one of the most marketable athletes in the world and has won several awards at his young age. His net worth is $148 million.

4. Zlatan Ibrahimovic Net worth $250 million

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a 37 year old professional football player from Sweden. He plays as a striker for LA Galaxy and is one of the best strikers in the game.

Zlatan is in a relationship with Helena Sever and they have two sons together. Ibrahimovic lives outside LA and is fluent in five languages. He is one of the most followed Swedish people on Instagram.

Zlatan is the only player to play in the UEFA Champions League with seven teams, scoring with six teams. Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s net worth is estimated at $114 million due to his investment and other businesses aside football.

5. Wayne Rooney Net Worth $112 Million

Wayne Rooney is a 33 year old football player from Liverpool, England who currently plays for D.C United. He holds the record as England’s youngest ever goal scorer.

Wayne is married to Coleen Rooney and they have four children together. Rooney has endorsement deals with Nike & Coca Cola and he is one of the most followed sportsperson on Twitter.

He has also been involved in several controversies related to infidelity and drunk driving. Wayne Rooney’s net worth is estimated at $112 million.

6. Kaka Net Worth $105 Million

Kaka is a retired football player from Brazil. Kaka was married to Caroline and they have two children together.

He is a devout Christian and was the most religious footballer of his time. He won the Ballon d’Or in 2007 and has endorsement deals with Adidas and other brands.

Kaka’s net worth is estimated at $105 million plus his other investments and assets.

7. Samuel Eto’o Net Worth $95 Million

Samuel Eto’o is a 37 year old football player from Cameroon and one of the richest African footballers of all time. He plays as a striker at Qatar SC.

Eto’o is married to Georgette and they have two children together. He has experienced racism several times in his career. As ealier stated, he is one of the richest football players from Africa who has won several awards  such as ” best player of the year”.

Eto’o has played for Inter Milan, Everton, Barcelona among others. He is regarded as one of the best strikers in the world. He has won the African Player of the Year award four times.

Samuel Eto’s net worth is estimated at $95 million.

8. Raul Gonzalez Net Worth $93 Million

Raul Gonzalez Blanco is a 41 year old retired football player from Spain and is regarded as one of the greatest Spanish players of all time. He played as a striker.

Raul spent sixteen years playing for Real Madrid FC and is one the highest goal scorers at Real Madrid just below Cristiano Ronaldo. Raul was a prolific goal scorer and consistent striker during his time.

He was nicknamed El Ferrari during his career. Raul is married to Mamen Sanz and has four children, including a set of twins. Two of his children are footballers.

Raul was the runner up for the Ballon d’Or in 2001. He is one of the few players not to have received a red card in his entire career. He has won several awards. Raul’s net worth is estimated at $93 million.

9. Ronaldinho Net Worth $90.5 Million

Ronaldinho is a 38 year old former football player from Brazil. He played at Barcelona and Milan during his career as well as other clubs.

He has a son and gained Spanish citizenship in 2007. He has had endorsement deals with Nike, Pepsi and other brands.

He is one of the most popular dribblers of all time, winning the Ballon d’Or in 2005. Ronaldinho’s net worth is estimated at $90.5 million. It seems the one time talented footballer became bankrupt due to the lavish lifestyle he lives.

10. Frank Lampard Net Worth $87 Million

Frank Lampard was an English player who played for Chelsea for 13 years and is regarded as one of the greatest football players for Chelsea FC.

He currently works as a football manager at Derby County and has played for England’s national team. Lampard has two children with his former fiancee, Elen Rivas.

He is married to Christine Bleakley. Frank Lampard’s net worth is estimated at $87 million which makes him one of the richest footballers in the world 2021.