Top 10 Higest-Paid Footballers In 2022

By Oladosu Oluwagbenga 

Top 10 Higest-Paid Footballers In 2022  –   Kylian Mbappe took the top spot on Forbes’ list of the highest-paid football players for 2022, surpassing both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

It came as no surprise when Mbappe dethroned Messi at the top after inking a hefty contract that keeps him in Paris through 2025.

When the rankings were made public, there were a few surprises. The list included a number of Premier League players, and a certain all-conquering Norwegian striker made his debut.

The top 10 are examined in full below by THEEAGLE.

Kevin De Bruyne – $29m (£26.5m)

De Bruyne now commands a high fee for being among the best midfielders to ever compete in the Premier League.

His two tremendously talented feet guarantee that he made $25 million (£22.5 million) in on-pitch income last year, while 11 brand deals, including one with Nike, meant that he made $4 million (£4 million) from other sponsorships.

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Andres Iniesta – $30m (£27m)

Iniesta has worked in Japan since leaving Barcelona. He made $5 million (£4.5 million) from the pitch last year thanks to his most recent commercial endeavors, including the introduction of his own signature footwear for the Japanese market.

The Spanish wizard continues to play frequently and made £22.5 million ($25 million) playing soccer last year.

Eden Hazard – $31m (£28m)

Despite receiving little playing time since moving from Chelsea to Real Madrid, Hazard is still among the top 10 earners in sport.

The international player from Belgium made $27m (£24m) in on-pitch payments and $4m (£4m) in off-pitch deals.

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Robert Lewandowski – $35m (£31m)

When Lewandowski left Munich for Catalonia, it was one of the most well-known movements of the summer. The Polish striker made a significant $8 million (£7 million) via off-field sponsorship deals with Nike and his own clothing line, “RL9.”

He received $27 million (£24 million) for his work on the field last year, so he is undoubtedly compensated fairly for the goals he scores.

Erling Haaland – $39m (£35m)

Haaland, who made his debut on this list, will almost probably rank higher the following year. The Norwegian earned almost $4 million (£4 million) from off-pitch negotiations with firms including Samsung. His upcoming boot deal alone, according to reports, may be worth up to $18 million (£16 million).

When Haaland moved to the Premier League this summer, his on-field earnings were a solid $35 million (£31 million).

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Mohamed Salah – $53m (£47m)

Salah eventually signed a new contract with Liverpool in the summer, keeping him there through 2025. The Egyptian was compensated $35 million (£31 million) for his achievements on the field.

Off the field, he continues to be a legend, and as one of Adidas’ most well-known international stars, he earned a cool $18 million (£16 million) in sponsorship fees.

Neymar Jr – $87m (£78m)

Neymar’s transfer from Barcelona to PSG in 2017 is still the most expensive in football history, and thanks to a contract extension in Paris, he is still among the top five earnings globally.

The Brazilian earned $55 million (£50 million) from his antics on the field and $32 million (£28 million) through endorsement deals with Puma and Ooredoo Group.

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Cristiano Ronaldo – $100m (£90m)

Ronaldo is the world’s highest-paid athlete off the field. He made $60 million (£54 million) thanks to sponsorships with Nike, Herbalife, and Livescore, and despite having less playing time in the past year, he still made $40 million (£36 million) from on-field partnerships.
With 486 million Instagram followers, Ronaldo may have the most stunning figures.

Lionel Messi – $120m (£108m)

Messi lost the top rank to his clubmate last year, yet he still made eye-watering amounts of money during that time.

The Argentine earned $65 million (£58.5 million) from his efforts on the field, with over half of that amount ($55 million/£49.5 million) coming from off-field endorsements.

Kylian Mbappe – $128m (£115m)

Mbappe, a Frenchman, was already making incredible sums of money when he signed a hefty contract earlier this year to keep him at PSG until 2025. The forward received an almost unimaginable sum of $110 million (£99 million) for his on-field performances over the course of the previous year.

He also earned an incredible $18 million (£16 million) in off-field endorsements through partnerships with EA and Nike.