Top 10 Richest Footballers In The World

It’s an exciting time to be a football fan, with transfer records being smashed multiple times in a year, and the emergence of the Chinese transfer market, there is no telling where the money will be heading to next.

The richest football players are known to make highly justified transfers when big cash comes calling. Spanish giants team in Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid are currently unable to buy or sell players until summer 2017 and the Italians are still staying local in terms of choosing teams to play for. Footballers are paid well to say the least, and with modern day football living up to its entertainment potential, it might be just a matter of time before we see the first soccer billionaire, and all we fans can say, is that it’s about time.Here are the Top 10 Richest Footballers In The World 2018

10. Frank Lampard- net worth of $87 million

The 38 year old footballer plays as a midfielder for American club New York FC in the MLS league in the United States of America. Lampard started his football career at West Ham United as his father also did. Being sold to Chelsea where he would make his presence known becoming one of the best midfielders making 164 appearances breaking a record for an outfield player. Before departing his home turf club he would leave a legacy behind becoming the all-time goal scorer with 211 goals in his club career. Lampard has been capped 106 times by England and when it comes down to set-pieces he doesn’t disappoint as he is the nation’s first selection for taking penalties.

9. Ronaldinho- net worth of $90.5 million

Ronaldo de Assis Moreira as he would go by his actual names is a 36 year old is an attacking midfielder and forward. He is currently Spanish club ambassador to Barcelona. At a young age he would start playing football on the beach and at the age of 13 he would play in his first match scoring 23 goals in a 23-0 victory. He would then have his first debut with Gremio in 1999. In his debut season he made a total of 48 appearances scoring 23 goals.

After his debut season he got the attentions of clubs such as Paris Saint German, Milan, Barcelona, Flamengo and Fluminense. For Brazil he has played up to 97 matches and scored 33 goals. He is well known for his footwork on the field and flair passes as he is also a great finisher. Ronaldinho is one of the best forwards and sportsmen of his generation.

8. Raul- net worth of $93 million

Raul Gonzalez Blanco is a professional soccer player who plays as a forward but situated as the main striker. He started his soccer career with youth club academy which belonged to Atletico Madrid. At the academy he would then portray his prowess which would earn him a contract with Spanish giants Real Madrid. He would not join the first team at first but spending 16 years with the club would make him one of the most capped players of the team.

Making of up to 741 appearances Raul set the record of the all-time goal scorer a record which would later on be broken by Cristiano. Raul has featured in Spain’s national team playing with the under-18, 20, 21 and 23 not forgetting the main team. He made 102 appearances for his nation scoring 44 goals in his international career. Despite not acquiring any honors with Spain he is still regarded as one of the best players more so a forward of Spain.

7. Samuel Eto’o- net worth of $95 million

35 year old Cameroonian plays professional soccer as a forward overseas for Turkish club Antalyaspor. He started playing soccer at an early age and would later join Real Madrid team in 1997 but would not be allowed to play in the first team for he was rather a minor. He would make 30 appearances scoring four goals for the team attracting the attention of some big teams such as Barcelona, Inter Milan, Chelsea and Everton. He started his international career in 2000 as he made six appearances scoring 11 goals. Samuel is Cameroon all time goal scorer being capped 118 times with a total of 56 goals.

6. Kaka- net worth of $105 million

The 34 year old skipper soccer player would start playing soccer at a very tender age of 8. Kaka would establish himself in Sao Paulo FC when he was 15 years playing as an attacking midfielder. He would also be pro-active in tennis but focus on soccer mostly. He started his international career in 2001 playing for the under-21 team making 5 appearances with a goal to add on top to it. He then got to play for the first team making 92 appearances with 29 goals to spice his performance on the field. Apart from his soccer career he is widely known for his humanitarian work as he is a United Nation Ambassador to the World Food Program. He is among the most influential people in the world.

5. Wayne Rooney- net worth $112 million

31 year old Manchester United forward or as would go by England’s best player as well as his team’s all-time goal scorer with a total of 250 goals, Rooney debuted his football career with Everton and would later on debut at the age of 16. He would then spend two seasons at the club before leaving to join the Red Devils. At Old Trafford Rooney won the premier league title 5 times together with the UEFA Champions cup among many other cups just to name but a few. He is currently holding a record for scoring the most goals for his club amassing up to 180 goals at the Theatre of Dreams. He is England’s youngest goal scorer of all time.

4. Zlatan Ibrahimović- net worth of $114 million

35 year old Swedish soccer player plays a forward for English team Manchester United. Zlatan started his footballing career at a very young age where he would make his presence known attracting huge teams such as Juventus just to name but a few. Apart from signing with Italian club Juventus, Zlatan made appearances playing for Barcelona, Milan and Paris Saint German. He has made over 100 international appearances scoring just 16 goals to his name. His lack of pace doesn’t stop him from his goal scoring ability, strength and stamina out on the field. He is holds the record of becoming Sweden’s player of the year acquiring the honor 11 times.

3. Neymar- net worth $148 million

Neymar started early age at Santos, where he made his professional debut aged 17. He moved to Barcelona in 2013 and made perfect trio with Lionel Messi and Luiz Suarez. He came 3rd in Ballon d’Or awards in 2013. He has scored 50 goals in 74 matches in the national team being fourth highest goal score for the country since his debut at 18 years. He is a great finisher dribbler and player setter and has been compared with legends such as Pele. He captained his national side to their first Olympic gold medal in men’s football at the2016 Summer Olympics. He has been better in his career and at most a fantastic player.

2. Lionel Messi- net worth $218 million

The star playing for Barcelona FC and is in the Argentina football team. He started his career Newell’s Old Boys. He became the youngest ever player to debut in the national team and score in the history of Argentina in 2005. With Barcelona he has clinched eight La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions League titles, as well as four Copa Del Rey’s. Messi has worn 5 Ballon d’or leading followed by Cristiano Ronaldo at 4. He won 4 Ballon d’or’s consecutively. He became the runners up in the best player of the year after Cristiano Ronaldo in 2016. He has been the leading top scorer in La Liga’s history at all times.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo- net worth $230 million

The Portuguese 31 year old winger or would play as a forward is one of the most successful players of his generation. He started his career at sporting CF. He joined Manchester United aged 18 years in 2003. Then he moved to Real Madrid in 2009 at a transfer of €94 million. In 2014, Christiano became the fastest player to net 200 goals. In 2008 he won his first Ballon d’or then worn in 2013 and 2014 and the fourth in 2016. He was the first player in the history of football to score 50 goals in a season six times consecutively. He has become real Madrid’s all-time scorer and second in La Liga’s history after his rival Lionel Messi.

China’s football intentions are beginning to affect the European transfer market, with the likes of Carlos Tevez (Argentina) and Oscar (Brazil) making dream transfer amounts a reality. Will the best move to china? The half a million pounds a week is a a huge motivation, coupled by the fact that the Government itself is at the center of the transfer negotiations. We can only hope the money does not overtake the essence of basic football, diverting attention from the goals and clean sheets to the zeros on the contract.