Top 10 Highest-Paid Footballers in the World, Lionel Messi to Top the List?

(From L) Brazil and FC Barcelona forward Neymar, Brazil and FC Barcelona defender Dani Alves, Argentina and FC Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, Spain and FC Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta and Portugal and Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo. (Photo credit OLIVIER MORIN/AFP via Getty Images)
(From L) Brazil and FC Barcelona forward Neymar, Brazil and FC Barcelona defender Dani Alves, Argentina and FC Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, Spain and FC Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta and Portugal and Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo. (Photo credit OLIVIER MORIN/AFP via Getty Images)
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There is no doubt that the highest-paid footballers are one of the highest-earning personalities in the sports and entertainment business. Some of the world’s biggest celebrities are football players and names like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe are known by people all around the world, even by those who do not follow the sport.

These players are not only amazing footballers with incredible skills but they are also public personalities, brand ambassadors as well as fashion models. Thus, when all things considered together, it is not surprising to see some of them taking home over 100 million dollars a year. However, who is the highest-paid footballer and who are the potential candidates who might take over that spot? Let’s take a look at the top 10 highest-paid footballers in the world right now:

Highest-Paid Footballers
David de Gea of Manchester United. (Photo by Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images)

#10 David de Gea  (Manchester United | Salary: £375k[$520k/€432k]/week)

The Manchester United first-choice goalkeeper, David de Gea, is one of the club’s highest-paid footballers. He has been a solid player for the Red Devils for several years and even now the 30-year-old has maintained his position and dominance over the goalkeeping position in the club. Of course, playing in one of the most vital positions in one of the most elite clubs in the world will pay you a lot and according to reports from Forbes, De Gea earns around 24 million dollars annually from United. This does not take into account his bonuses and thus his yearly salary could be even more. He is the world’s highest-paid goalkeeper according to Forbes however, the recent rise of Dean Henderson could push him down the ladder in a few years.