These players will earn a staggering $585 million before tax this season, up from $570 million a year ago.
It is speculated that the two highest paid players on the list have no bonus, and former competitors Lionel Messi and cristiano ronaldo once again topped the list.
However, the important news is that after the Argentine moved to Paris Saint-Germain in the turbulent summer, Cristiano Ronaldo has regained the first position from Messi, which suddenly ended his cooperation with Barcelona 2 1 year.
At the same time, Ronaldo returned to Manchester United excitedly and made his own box office achievements. The respectable prodigal son returned to Old Trafford after leaving about 12 years.
When compiling the list, Forbes talked with clubs, agents and brand sponsors to generate data. Although the transfer fee is not included, the income shown includes the player's salary in the 20021-22 season, as well as any contract bonus and business endorsement income.
1. cristiano ronaldo (Manchester United)
Age: 36 years old Total income: 654.38+25 million dollars.
Just like on the court, Ronaldo shows no signs of slowing down in business. He has become the most popular athlete in the world-at least a fan of Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. In fact, the superstar has a huge social media camp with more than 654.38 billion fans around the world.
After Ronaldo returned to Manchester United, his net salary was $70 million, and the rest of his income came from valuable business cooperation with Nike, Herbalife, Clear Shampoo and his rich brand portfolio CR7. Products, including everything from underwear to hotels.
Only three active athletes have earned more than Ronaldo: roger federer ($90 million), lebron james ($65 million) and Tiger Woods ($60 million).
2. Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain)
Age: 34 years old. Total income: 1. 1 billion dollars.
After topping the list last year, Messi has become the second place after Cristiano Ronaldo, ending this dazzling summer.
It is reported that his huge income in Barcelona was the catalyst for his quick departure from the youth club. Messi joined Paris Saint-Germain with a big salary cut in August.
But don't worry, because Argentines will still get a salary of $75 million, in addition to the estimated business endorsement fee of $35 million from Adidas, Pepsi and other brand partners.
3. Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain)
Age: 29 years old Total income: 95 million dollars.
Earlier this year, Neymar signed a new four-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain, and the Brazilian will stay with the French Giants until 2025.
Then, just as the Parisians didn't brag about one of the densest (and most expensive) offensive lines in world football, they added Messi to the equation.
Neymar also happens to be the third most watched athlete on social media, with 284 million fans on various channels and platforms, including the video sharing application Triller, with which the striker signed an exclusive content agreement last June.
4. Mbappé (Paris Saint-Germain)
Age: 22 years old Total income: $43 million
As the third Paris Saint-Germain superstar in the top four, Mbappé is also the youngest in the list, with a certain gap.
The young French international is now in the last year of his contract with Paris Club, and refused to renew it earlier this year, so it seems that he may seek new challenges in the 2022-23 season.
With Real Madrid expressing its great desire to protect its signature to end the current incident, perhaps Mbappe will find it a good time to move up the Forbes rich list by one or two steps.
5. mohamed salah (Liverpool)
Age: 29 years old Total income: 465,438+0 million USD.
As the sole representative of the Premier League, Salah entered the top five in much the same way as last year.
The prolific Egyptian striker has achieved great success since he joined Liverpool from Rome on 20 17. He scored more than 20 goals every season and played a key role in winning the Champions League and the historic league.
In February, 2020, Salah also cooperated with Vodafone, a long-term commercial sponsor, and became the ambassador to the United Nations, responsible for providing digital learning support for refugees in his hometown.
6. robert lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
Age: 33 years old Total income: 35 million dollars.
The Bayern striker is getting better and better with age. Since the age of 30, he has enjoyed the most prolific, record-breaking and successful season in his career.
Among numerous team and individual honors, lewandowski was named the best player of Bayern in 2019/20 season, and won the title of German Footballer twice in 2020 and 20021year.
The Polish international became the first Bundesliga player to score 65,438+03 games in a row, which is part of his scoring record of 65,438+09 games in a row, which can be traced back to February-the last time he failed to score at the club.
He also hosted several commercial activities, including his own personal RL9 clothing and coffee brand.
7. Andres Iniesta (Kobe Victory Ship)
Age: 37 years old Total income: 35 million dollars.
After renewing his contract with Japanese club Kobe Victory Ship for two years, veteran midfielder Iniesta unexpectedly returned to the top of the list despite his age-the deal was officially announced on the Spaniard's 37th birthday.
Iniesta, the former head of Barcelona, moved to J League for the first time on 20 18. Now his contract with Wiezell expires in 2023, when he will be less than 40 years old.
8. Bogba (Manchester United)
Age: 28 years old Total income: $34 million
Bogba may have dropped three places on the Forbes list within a year, but his income remained unchanged and quickly stabilized at $34 million, while others surpassed him.
The gorgeous Frenchman's future at Manchester United remains as uncertain as ever, although it is reported that Bogba is now considering renewing his contract in order to stay at Manchester United for a long time after the high-profile arrival of Old Trafford (including Cristiano Ronaldo, Sancho and Rapha?l Varane).
9. gareth bale (Real Madrid)
Age: 32 years old Total income: 32 million dollars.
Bell, who was in exile before, has now returned to Real Madrid. Has fallen out of favor and was forced to return to his old club Tottenham on loan in 2020-2 1 season.
The Welshman used to be (even briefly) the most expensive football player on the planet. He has made three appearances in La Liga so far this season and even scored his first goal for Real Madrid in the past two years against levante last month.
10. Azar (Real Madrid)
Age: 30 years old Total income: 29 million US dollars
Considering the downturn that seems to have swept the Belgians in the past two seasons, it may be surprising to see Azar, who ranks at the top of 10-he always missed 59 games in these two seasons.
In fact, since he moved from Chelsea to Real Madrid on 20 19 for 1 100 million euros, Azar has only made 48 appearances in various competitions and scored only 5 goals, all of which are a mixture of injuries and poor state.
There are rumors that Real Madrid want to unload Azar and his high salary at the recent critical moment, which is likely to affect his position on the list in the 2022-23 season.