Zlatan Ibrahimovic Net Worth 2023 and Faiq Bolkiah Net Worth 2022 – A Guide to the Richest Football Players
As an investment and business data expert, I analyzed the net worth and earnings of the top football players worldwide. Based on the research, Bruneian footballer Faiq Bolkiah is the richest player in 2024, with an estimated net worth of $20 billion.
How Did Faiq Bolkiah Accumulate Such Wealth?
Faiq Bolkiah, 24, is the nephew of the Sultan of Brunei – Hassanal Bolkiah, who has an estimated net worth of $28 billion derived from Brunei‘s oil and gas reserves. As a member of the Bruneian royal family, Faiq has access to an almost unimaginable fortune and assets from birth.
Though he plays football professionally for Maritimo in Portugal, his current salary or contract details are unknown. His massive net worth comes from his royal lineage rather than football earnings. With $20 billion to his name, Faiq Bolkiah tops the list of the richest footballers in 2024.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic‘s Net Worth of $190 Million in 2024
In comparison to Faiq Bolkiah, Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has more modest earnings – estimated to be around $190 million currently.
The AC Milan star is still one of the world‘s highest paid footballers with an annual income of over $35 million. Let‘s analyze the breakup of his net worth:
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His current AC Milan contract pays him $14 million per year in salary.
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Additional $3 million annually comes from endorsement deals with Volvo, Xbox, Nivea and other brands.
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In 2018, he launched his own sportswear brand A-Z Sportswear adding to his wealth.
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Lucrative real estate investments in several countries also contribute significantly.
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In his trophy-laden career, Zlatan played for clubs like Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, PSG and Manchester United.
Though Zlatan is among the richest active players today, his net worth pales in comparison to Faiq Bolkiah‘s $20 billion fortune.
Net Worth Comparison of Richest Footballers Worldwide
| Player | Net Worth |
|---|---|
| Faiq Bolkiah | $20 billion |
| Zlatan Ibrahimovic | $190 million |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | $500 million |
| Lionel Messi | $400 million |
As visible in the table above, Faiq Bolkiah is far ahead as the world‘s richest footballer in 2024. Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are a distant second and third with their net worths of $500 million and $400 million respectively accrued through playing contracts, endorsements, and investments.
Top Footballers Make Big Money from Endorsement Deals
Apart from their club salary, the top football superstars also earn massive amounts through endorsement deals with brands worldwide.
According to Forbes, the highest-paid football players earned over $105 million from endorsements in 2022. The top earners were:
- Cristiano Ronaldo: $55M in endorsements
- Neymar Jr.: $28M
- Lionel Messi: $27M
- Mohamed Salah: $18M
CR7 tops the list with lucrative sponsorship deals with brands like Nike, Herbalife, Clear and his own perfume line. Messi also has a lifetime deal with Adidas worth mentioning.
The Mind-boggling Wealth of Football Club Owners
While the star footballers earn handsomely, the real big money lies with football club owners. Luxury car maker Dietrich Mateschitz who owns RB Leipzig is worth $27 billion. Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich has a net worth of over $14 billion.
In comparison, Bolkiah family‘s $20 billion net worth may seem modest but in the context of football players‘ earnings, Faiq Bolkiah firmly retains the top position as the richest in 2024.
Final Takeaway
In my expert opinion as a business data analyst, Faiq Bolkiah‘s $20 billion net worth is the pinnacle of football‘s rich list in 2024. Unlike other top players, his unimaginable wealth comes from his royal lineage and assets. But elite footballers like Ronaldo and Messi also take home hefty sums from playing contracts and endorsements running into hundreds of millions. However, Faiq remains in a league of his own as the undisputed richest footballer this year.