Home / Sports / Ronaldo Tops World Cup Rich List at $300M
Ronaldo Tops World Cup Rich List at $300M
14 Jun
Summary
- Cristiano Ronaldo leads with $300 million earnings.
- The 2026 World Cup is the wealthiest in history.
- Tournament projected to add $17.2 billion to US GDP.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, has kicked off as the wealthiest tournament in its 96-year history. Forbes reports that Cristiano Ronaldo, at 41, is the highest-paid player, earning an estimated $300 million in the past 12 months.
Ronaldo's earnings tie a Forbes record and bring his career earnings past $2 billion, making him a sole active sportsperson to achieve this. He is currently participating in his sixth World Cup.
Lionel Messi, 38, is the second highest-paid with $140 million, split evenly between his Inter Miami salary and commercial income. He is defending champion with Argentina and aims to break Miroslav Klose's scoring record.
Kylian Mbappé of France follows with $95 million. Norway's Erling Haaland earned $80 million, while Brazil's Vinicius Jr. took home $60 million.
Other high earners include England's Jude Bellingham ($44 million), Egypt's Mohamed Salah ($55 million), Senegal's Sadio Mané ($54 million), Brazil's Neymar ($38 million), England's Harry Kane ($41 million), and Spain's Lamine Yamal ($43 million).
The tournament is projected to generate $13 billion in revenue over the four-year cycle and is expected to contribute approximately $17.2 billion to the US GDP.
