Worth more than a team/ Who are the 4 richest footballers of the 2026 World Cup?

2026-06-21 22:47:00, Kuriozitete CNA

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has long been dominated by names like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, but more recently by Mbappe and Neymar. And with a legacy that stretches back centuries, their sport isn't the only thing fueling their net worth today.

There are contracts, personal ventures, social media and their overall brand. Almost synonymous with the game, some of the richest players in the 2026 FIFA World Cup include:

Worth more than a team/ Who are the 4 richest footballers of the 2026 World Cup?

1. Cristiano Ronaldo

Ranked as one of the world's richest athletes, he is also the club's highest-paid player this season. The Portuguese superstar is worth $235 million on the pitch and $65 million off the pitch, according to Forbes. The 41-year-old forward's earnings put him on a par with boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. However, he is also the only athlete to have surpassed $2 billion in career earnings while still active in the sport.

Ronaldo earns a lot from his salary at Al-Nassr, but has close partnerships with major global brands such as Nike and Louis Vuitton. The 'CR7 brand' also carries immense value, as the player flies his own private jet, fully branded with CR7's presence, like a true billionaire. This season marks his sixth World Cup and he dominates the Middle East football scene, especially after the Saudi Professional League Championship.

Worth more than a team/ Who are the 4 richest footballers of the 2026 World Cup?

2. Lionel Messi

Ranked second, Lionel Messi, with a collective worth of $140 million at the World Cup, the Argentine soccer legend joined Forbes' billionaires list recently, rivaling his on-field contemporary, Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Inter Miami forward, who is expected to turn 39, will also be playing in his sixth World Cup. Along with a hefty salary, he often fronts advertisements for brands including Apple, Adidas and Pepsi. Some reports estimate his real estate empire is worth $300 million, with mansions in Florida and Porsche Towers in Miami.

Worth more than a team/ Who are the 4 richest footballers of the 2026 World Cup?

3. Kylian Mbappe

The Frenchman, who stunned the football world at the last World Cup, is said to have a net worth of $95 million and is the third highest-paid player this year. He also earns a lot from brand partnerships such as Nike, Hublot, EA Sports and others.

Also a real estate enthusiast, Mbappe's luxury assets include an $8 million apartment in Paris and a $13 million mansion in Madrid. The Real Madrid CF player is also an avid car collector, including a Ferrari SF90 Stradale and a Lamborghini Revuelto & Aventador SVJ in his garage.

Worth more than a team/ Who are the 4 richest footballers of the 2026 World Cup?

4. Neymar Jr.

While he's not among the top five highest-paid players this season of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Brazilian soccer star Neymar Jr. has an estimated net worth of $450 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. The teenager won the South American Footballer of the Year award just 3 years after making his debut at the age of 17 in 2009.

He is also known for being the person who made the most expensive transfer in football history from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain, paying a then-record fee of 222 million euros. While he took a $500,000 pay cut after injuring his anterior cruciate ligament, Neymar Jr. still ranks among the wealthiest players on the pitch. He continues to live a lavish lifestyle with luxury cars, a Dassault Falcon private jet, Nadine - his yacht and a real estate empire said to be worth $10 million./CNA