Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are two of the greatest soccer players to ever live, having combined to win the coveted Ballon d'Or 11 times.
Which of the two living legends has turned their prowess on the pitch into a larger financial empire? Here, courtesy of Celebrity Net Worth, are the 10 richest soccer players in the world for the 2021 season, including Ronaldo and Messi:
10. Andrés Iniesta Net Worth: $120 Million
Andrés Iniesta is one of the best soccer players in the. world.
(Simon Holmes/Getty Images)
Iniesta, now 37, inked a new two-year contract extension with the Japanese club Vissel Kobe in May. Iniesta, of course, made his name during his 16-season run with Barcelona, a period in which he scored 35 goals and added 65 assists.
9. Paul Pogba Net Worth: $125 Million
Paul Pogba is one of the richest soccer players in the world.
(Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
At the time of publication, Pogba is in the final year of a five-year/$88.49 million deal with Manchester United. The 28-year-old -- who has also previously played for Juventus -- has 28 goals and 29 assists over the course of his current contract.
7(tie). Gareth Bale Net Worth: $145 Million
Gareth Bale is one of the richest soccer players in the world.
(Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
A four-time Champions League champion, Bale is known for his success as a goal scorer for Tottenham and Real Madrid. Now 32, Bale has 139 career goals and 72 assists in his domestic career.
7 (tie). Wayne Rooney Net Worth: $145 Million
Wayne Rooney is a Manchester United legend.
(Dave Thompson/Getty Images)
Rooney spent the overwhelming majority of his domestic career with Manchester United, scoring 183 goals in 13 season for the Premier League giant. Now 35, Rooney is currently the manager of Derby County.
6. Zlatan Ibrahimović Net Worth: $190 Million
Zlatan Ibrahimović is one of the best players of his era.
(Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
One of the great personalities in the sport, Ibrahimović is entering his third season with AC Milan, after two seasons in the MLS with the Los Angeles Galaxy. Ibrahimović has been something of a mercenary during his two decades in the sport, but the 39-year-old has scored wherever he's played at, with 383 career goals.
5. Neymar Jr. Net Worth: $200 Million
Neymar Jr. is one of the most talented soccer players in the world.
(Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
After four seasons with Barcelona, Neymar is now entering his fifth season with Paris-Saint German, where he'll be reunited with Lionel Messi. Neymar's team had to pay in excess of $260 million for him to be released from his Barcelona contract in August of 2017, paving the way for him to join PSG. Now 29, Neymar has 56 goals and 31 assists in 70 matches with PSG.
4. David Beckham Net Worth: $450 Million
David Beckham had a storied soccer career.
(Shaun Botterill/Allsport/Getty Images)
Beckham is a mogul in the sport, having won 10 domestic league championships during his 19-year playing career. Beckham is part of the ownership group and currently serves as the president of soccer operations for Inter Miami CF, who joined the MLS in 2020. For good measure, his wife, Victoria, is also estimated to be worth $450 million.
3. Cristiano Ronaldo Net Worth: $500 Million
Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the greatest soccer players ever.
(Enrico Locci/Getty Images)
Having previously played for Sporting CP, Manchester United and Real Madrid, the 36-year-old is entering his fourth season with Juventus. Having already established himself as one of the most dominant scorers in both the Premier League and La Liga, Ronaldo has 81 goals in his first three seasons in Series A.
2. Lionel Messi Net Worth: $600 Million
Lionel Messi is one of the greatest soccer players ever.
(Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
As part of his new contract with Paris Saint-Germain, ESPN reported that Messi will earn "between $35 and $41 million" per year on a two-year pact that includes an option for a third year. This comes after the Argentinian star scored 474 goals and added in 193 assists in 17 seasons with Barcelona.
1. Faiq Bolkiah: $20 Billion
Here's a wild card. It turns out that neither Ronaldo or Messi is the richest soccer player in the world, because they don't come from a royal family. Bolkiah, 23, currently plays for Marítimo in Portugal.
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