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Ronaldo and Messi Lead Highest-Paid Players at 2026 FIFA World Cup
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be the largest ever with 48 teams across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will feature two billionaire players: Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. According to Forbes, these two superstars headline the list of highest-paid players participating in the tournament, collectively earning an estimated $440 million over the past 12 months. Ronaldo tops the rankings with $300 million in total earnings, including $235 million from his playing contract and $65 million from endorsements, making him the world’s highest-paid athlete with an estimated net worth of $1.2 billion. Messi ranks second with $140 million in earnings and an estimated net worth of $1.1 billion. Other top earners include Kylian Mbappé $95 million, Erling Haaland $80 million, and Vinicius Jr. $60 million. The list also features Mohamed Salah $55 million, Sadio Mané $54 million, Jude Bellingham $44 million, Lamine Yamal $43 million, Harry Kane $41 million, and Neymar $38 million. These eleven players collectively earned an estimated $950 million in the past year, highlighting the significant financial power and commercial value of football's global elite.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
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