Soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world, and the highest-paid players are some of the most impressive athletes in the sport. According to Forbes, the top 10 highest-paid soccer players make an average of $85 million per year.
This article will examine the 10 highest paid soccer players, notable players, and look ahead to the 2022 World Cup.
While the list of the highest-paid soccer players is dominated by players from the English Premier League, Ligue 1, La Liga, and J1 League, the most impressive player of the year has been Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland. He has scored 17 goals for Manchester City and an incredible 62 goals in his last season at Borussia Dortmund.
The upcoming 2022 World Cup in Qatar will be a major event for soccer fans and the article will also examine predictions and odds for the tournament.
Top 10 List
According to Forbes, the top 10 highest-paid soccer players for 2021 are:
- Mbappé ($128 million)
- Messi ($110 million)
- Ronaldo ($100 million)
- Neymar ($87 million)
- Salah ($53 million)
- Haaland ($35 million)
- Lewandowski ($35 million)
- Hazard ($27 million)
- Iniesta ($25 million)
- De Bruyne ($25 million)
The distribution of these players is as follows: Four players are from the English Premier League, three from Ligue 1, two from La Liga, and one from the J1 League. Belgium has two players on the list, namely Hazard and De Bruyne. France, Argentina, Portugal, Brazil, Egypt, Norway, Poland, and Spain each have one representative.
Among these players, Haaland has been the most impressive. He has scored 17 goals for Manchester City and an impressive 62 goals for Borussia Dortmund. With his value and marketability expected to rise even further, it is possible that Manchester City and PSG could face off in the UEFA Champions League.
Notable Players
Notable figures within the world of football often command substantial salaries, with many earning in excess of $100 million annually. These players are found in leagues from around the world, such as the English Premier League, Ligue 1, La Liga, and J1 League. Of the top 10 highest-paid players, four are from the EPL, three from Ligue 1, two from La Liga, and one from J1 League. Belgium is represented by two players on the list, Hazard and De Bruyne, while France, Argentina, Portugal, Brazil, Egypt, Norway, Poland, and Spain each have one player.
| Player | League | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Mbappé | Ligue 1 | $128M |
| Messi | La Liga | $110M |
| Ronaldo | Serie A | $100M |
| Neymar | Ligue 1 | $87M |
| Salah | Premier League | $53M |
| Haaland | Premier League | $35M |
| Lewandowski | Bundesliga | $35M |
| Hazard | Premier League | $27M |
| Iniesta | La Liga | $25M |
| De Bruyne | Premier League | $25M |
2022 World Cup
The 2022 FIFA World Cup kicks off on November 20, with Qatar facing Ecuador in the opening match. This tournament will be the first opportunity for the defending champions, France, to defend their title since winning the 2018 World Cup.
France is led by their star forward, Kylian Mbappé, who is also one of the highest paid soccer players in the world. Mbappé has earned over $128 million this year, placing him second on the Forbes list of top 10 highest-paid soccer players. The highest-paid footballer, Lionel Messi, earns a reported $110 million this year. Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Mohamed Salah, Erling Haaland, Robert Lewandowski, Eden Hazard, Andrés Iniesta, and Kevin De Bruyne round out the list.
Haaland, in particular, has been one of the most impressive players, having scored 17 goals for Manchester City and 62 goals for Borussia Dortmund. His high marketability and value are expected to increase as he plays in the Premiership.
