Top 10 Best-Paid Soccer Players in the World in 2021

Soccer is one of the most popular and lucrative sports in the world, and its top players are some of the highest-paid athletes on the planet. In 2021, despite the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the sports industry, many soccer stars continued to earn massive salaries, bonuses, and endorsement deals. In this post, we'll take a look at the top 10 best-paid soccer players in the world in 2021.

 

§  Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain) - $110 million

Arguably the greatest soccer player of all time, Lionel Messi made headlines in 2021 when he transferred from FC Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain. Messi reportedly signed a two-year contract worth over $41 million per year, plus bonuses and endorsement deals with brands like Pepsi, Adidas, and Budweiser.

With his country, he won the 2021 Copa América and the 2022 FIFA World Cup. A prolific goalscorer and creative playmaker, Messi holds the records for most goals in La Liga (474), most hat-tricks in La Liga (36) and the UEFA Champions League (8), and most assists in La Liga (192) and the Copa América (17).

§  Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United) - $100 million

Another soccer legend, Cristiano Ronaldo returned to Manchester United in 2021 after several years at Real Madrid and Juventus. Ronaldo's salary is estimated to be around $50 million per year, with additional earnings from sponsorships with Nike, Herbalife, and others.

 

§  Neymar Jr. (Paris Saint-Germain) - $95 million

Brazilian forward Neymar Jr. is known for his flashy skills and his lucrative contract with Paris Saint-Germain. In 2021, Neymar signed a four-year extension with the team that will pay him an estimated $35 million per year, plus earnings from endorsements with companies like Nike, Gillette, and Red Bull.

 

§  Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain) - $43 million

French phenom Kylian Mbappe is one of the rising stars of world soccer, and he's already earning a hefty paycheck. Mbappe's salary is reportedly around $28 million per year, and he has endorsement deals with Nike, Hublot, and EA Sports, among others.

 

§  Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) - $40 million

Egyptian striker Mohamed Salah has been a star at Liverpool since his arrival in 2017, and he's been rewarded with a big contract. Salah reportedly earns around $25 million per year from his club, and he also has deals with Vodafone, Adidas, and other brands.

 

§  Paul Pogba (Manchester United) - $32 million

French midfielder Paul Pogba is a key player for Manchester United and the French national team, and he's well-compensated for his skills. Pogba reportedly earns around $20 million per year from his club, and he has deals with Adidas, Pepsi, and other companies.

 

§  Antoine Griezmann (Barcelona) - $28 million

French forward Antoine Griezmann is a star at Barcelona, where he earns an estimated $20 million per year in salary. Griezmann also has deals with Puma, Head & Shoulders, and other brands.

 

§  Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich) - $24 million

Polish striker Robert Lewandowski is one of the top scorers in world soccer, and he's compensated accordingly. Lewandowski reportedly earns around $20 million per year from his club, plus deals with Nike, EA Sports, and other sponsors.

 

§  Gareth Bale (Real Madrid) - $23 million

Welsh winger Gareth Bale is back at Real Madrid after a loan spell at Tottenham Hotspur, and he's still one of the highest-paid players in the game. Bale reportedly earns around $17 million per year from his club, and he has deals with Adidas, EA Sports, and other brands.

Ref: https://www.forbes.com/sites/maddieberg/2021/08/17/the-worlds-highest-paid-soccer-players-2021-messi-neymar-and-ronaldo-dominate-the-sporting-space/?sh=109436a277f8