As the English Premier League season gets underway again this weekend, the footballing world can look forward to another eye-popping campaign with some of the world’s biggest sporting names.
There are few sports more lucrative and money-laden than football. Mixing talent with unbridled passion and entertainment, numerous footballers are awarded with huge wages and lucrative sponsorship deals.
With each new season comes a new footballing superstar, and another opportunity to witness eye watering contract offers and seemingly endless amounts of cash most of us can only dream of. But who is the richest footballer on the planet ahead of the 24/25 season?
Here are the top 20 richest footballers and soccer stars in the world in 2024, according to CelebrityNetWorth.
9. Robert Lewandowski - $85 million
One of the most deadly strikers Europe has seen over the last decade, the Polish marksman has bagged goals for Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich and Barcelona and has a reported net worth of $85 million. | Getty Images
10. James Rodríguez - $80 million
The Colombian megastar is a legend in his homeland and is the poster boy for the nation. Now playing in Brazil for Sao Paolo at the age of 33, James has a reported net worth of $80 million. | AFP via Getty Images
11. Mario Balotelli - $80 million
He has been out of the limelight for a number of years, but the 'why always me' Manchester City fan favourite still has a reported net worth that sits amongst football's big names. Currently plays in Turkey for Adana Demirspor. | Getty Images
12. Sergio Ramos - $80 million
Now in the twilight of his career, Ramos is one of Spain's greatest ever defenders and has a net worth of $80 million to prove it. A legend. | Getty Images