Football nowadays offers more money thanks to its enormous appeal to top-level professional players in all parts of the world. According to the most recent Forbes list of the highest-paid football players for 2022, one may get an idea of how much a top football player can make. As per the US magazine, the French forward, Kylian Mbappe, has reached the 100 million marks in earnings at only 23 years old.
Who made the top 10 in the 2022 Forbes highest-paid football players list?
Based on salaries, bonuses, and off-field earnings, which include cash from endorsements, licensing, appearances, memorabilia, and businesses operated by the players, were taken into account when Forbes made the list for the highest earners for the 2022-2023 season. PSG’s three superstar footballers, Mbappe, Messi, and Neymar, made the list. Manchester City’s two top earners, Haaland and De Bruyne, also found a place in the top 10 list. Here are the top 10 Forbes highest-paid soccer players 2022.
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10. Kevin De Bruyne
Nationality: Belgium | Age: 31 | Current Club: Manchester City | Total Earnings: $29 millions
Apart from being one of the top earners at Manchester City football club in England, Kevin De Bruyne has 11 brand deals. He has $4 million in off-field earnings through his image.
09. Andres Iniesta
Nationality: Spain | Age: 38 | Current Club: Vissel Kobe | Total Earnings: $30 millions
Iniesta left Barcelona in 2018 and has since made a fortune playing for the Japanese club Vissel Kobe. He has $25 million in on-field earnings.
08. Eden Hazard
Nationality: Belgium | Age: 31 | Current Club: Real Madrid | Total Earnings: $31 millions
Hazard has failed to make an impact for Real Madrid because of injury issues. However, that doesn’t affect his overall earnings. Hazard has $27 million in on-field earnings with Los Blancos.
07. Robert Lewandowski
Nationality: Poland | Age: 34 | Current Club: FC Barcelona | Total Earnings: $35 millions
Barcelona’s summer signings Lewandowski has found himself at No.7 with a total of $35 million in earnings. Lewandowski’s $8 million in off-field earnings proves that he has a massive fan following.
06. Erling Haaland
Nationality: Norway | Age: 22 | Current Club: Manchester City | Total Earnings: $39 millions
Manchester City’s goal machine, Erling Haaland, has deservedly earned a place in the top 10 list of highest-paid earners. Man City has given Erling $35 million for his footballing services.
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05. Mohamed Salah
Nationality: Egypt | Age: 30 | Current Club: Liverpool | Total Earnings: $53 millions
Mohamed Salah recently signed a new contract with Liverpool and that has made him among the top earners in football. Salah’s overall earnings exceeded $50 million.
04. Neymar Jr.
Nationality: Brazil | Age: 30 | Current Club: PSG | Total Earnings: $87 millions
Brazilian superstar Neymar Jr. couldn’t reach the 100 million mark but still pocketed $87 million. He has earned $55 million for his on-field service to PSG.
03. Cristiano Ronaldo
Nationality: Portugal | Age: 37 | Current Club: Manchester United | Total Earnings: $100 millions
The 37-year-old Portuguese star, Cristiano Ronaldo, recently completed his 700 club goals and is still going strong. Ronaldo’s off-field earnings of $60 million have surpassed his earnings with Manchester United.
02. Lionel Messi
Nationality: Argentina | Age: 35 | Current Club: PSG | Total Earnings: $120 millions
Lionel Andres Messi, the Argentine superstar, has a total income of $120 million. Paris Saint-Germain has given $65 million for his magical footballing services on the field.
01. Kylian Mbappe
Nationality: France | Age: 23 | Current Club: PSG | Total Earnings: $128 millions
Paris Saint-Germain managed to sign Kylian Mbappe to a new contract last summer and make him the highest-paid footballer in the world. The French giant has given him more than $100 million for his service as a player.
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Aftermath
Each year, the renowned American business magazine, Forbes, compiles the list of the highest earners among football players. The highlights of the Forbes Highest-Paid footballers 2022 were Erling Haaland's debut and Kylian Mbappe's position at the top.