Football Ground Map
Football Ground Map
For years, the money in competitive and professional sport has been growing and growing. It's not a trend that has ever shown any signs of slowing down, either; especially in football. Despite the efforts of the likes of the European governing body, UEFA, football at the highest level is on a whole new financial level. That is why, for many people, the world of football always has the risk of eating itself. When you see just how much money is being brought in by players, it's hard to fathom at times.
Indeed, in what could be one of the most ironic statements of all-time, former FIFA President, Sepp Blatter, said that money was at risk of 'ruining' football. While the Swiss senior might be right, there's more than just the players and clubs who are playing with horrendous sums of money. When you take it right back to those who matter most, though, the players, it's easy to see why there's a bit of uncertainty around it all. Indeed, that's why the interest in the top football earners around the world has become such a big talking point.
If you want to see who is earning the most moolah from the global game, then you need to take a look at this infographic from Find Betting Sites. By laying bare just how much some of the biggest players are bringing in, you can see why many believe the sport runs the risk of eating itself. Who, then, are some of the largest earners in football?
The best should always be paid the best and the most, right? Well, it's fair to say that Lionel Messi is the best. And at a whopping $110m/year from FC Barcelona, it's fair to say he makes enough money to justify his status as arguably the greatest of all-time.
However, at that kind of money, Messi could legitimately buy many of the biggest clubs in the world with a couple of years salary. Think about what he could do if he chose to put his salary into his hometown team, Newell's Old Boys, for example?
As is predictable in the wonderful world of football, Cristiano Ronaldo sits just behind Messi in second spot. On around $107m/year, the Portuguese is the second highest-paid – which is fair, as he's the only one who can really hold a candle to the Argentinian.
Despite being in his mid-30s now, Ronaldo shows absolutely no signs of slowing down. Indeed, a UEFA Nations League hat-trick against the Swiss recently showed to all just how much Ronaldo is worth to both club and country.
Seen by many as the heir to the above two, Neymar Jr is the third highest paid in the world – and could soon by set for a payrise. The Paris Saint-Germain star is in the media, seemingly demanding a return back to FC Barcelona. Could that happen? If it does, we imagine his $90m salary will be going up alongside his grandiose return. Barcelona, then, could have two of the highest paid players on the planet on their books: how do you afford that?
These three players, then, between them, take in the best part of $300m a year. That's incredible. Take a look at the rest of the list, though, and you soon see why even people like Blatter might be right that football has a money problem it has to confront.
View the infographic: https://www.findbettingsites.co.uk/soccer-earnings/
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