Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo broke records, won countless trophies, and captured the hearts of millions in the process. While they had one of the best rivalries on the pitch, fans also wonder who earns more money, Messi or Ronaldo?
The curiosity isn't just confined to football forums. Some of the best betting apps in the UK feature insights like match stats, player transfers, market values, and how much these football stars are raking in off the pitch.
Who makes more money: Messi or Ronaldo?
Cristiano Ronaldo currently earns more money than Lionel Messi, according to BBC and other authoritative sources.
Forbes' rankings of highest-paid football players features Ronaldo and Messi in the first two spots, respectively, with:
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Cristiano Ronaldo: £218 million
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Lionel Messi: £103 million
Similarly, Sportico's list of the highest-paid athletes in the world puts Ronaldo at the top with a staggering £200 million in total earnings (from both salary and endorsements), while Messi trails with £102 million. Ronaldo's move to Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia significantly boosted his salary as the Saudi Pro League is known for high-paying contracts designed to attract global talent.
On the other side, Messi joined Inter Miami in the MLS. Despite its size, MLS isn't known for astronomical wages, but Messi supplemented his income with major endorsement deals—including a share of revenue from Apple TV's MLS Season Pass.
These figures are based on publicly available data. Footballers like Ronaldo and Messi also have private business ventures, investments, and lesser-known endorsement deals that can dramatically influence their actual net worth. Whenever high-profile athletes make major moves or start new partnerships, even football betting apps feature these developments in their news sections.
Which footballer has the highest salary?
Cristiano Ronaldo holds the title for the highest salary in football with a yearly income exceeding £200 million. Ronaldo's massive deal with Al-Nassr is more lucrative than Messi's salary, the second highest earning football player.
Both Ronaldo and Messi are close to the end of their careers. Their latest career decisions significantly impacted their earnings trajectories. Ronaldo opted for a high-salary deal in a less competitive but financially rewarding league, whileMessi chose to build his brand in the United States. While Messi's salary is lower than Ronaldo's, he has access to more collaboration opportunities.
Considering how money in football is shifting, Ronaldo and Messi's career decisions started influencing other football stars. Smaller clubs from around the world are now more visible than ever, and they can access new revenue opportunities. This change is also reflected in how fans engage with the sport, including betting. Even smaller betting apps now feature rising leagues, teams, and players to keep up with the quickly developing interests of fans.