2018 Top 5 Highest Paid Footballers in the World

Football is undoubtedly the most loved sport in the world. Football stars are role models to the young and old, national heroes. Footballers also earn huge wages and are mostly the richest sportsmen due to the soccer being the most watched sport in the world, therefore, attracting huge capital investment.

Here are the 2018 top 5 current highest paid footballers in the world.

5. Cristiano Ronaldo Santos Aveiro €21m

Cristiano Ronaldo was born on the 5^th of February 1985. Currently playing as a forward for the Spanish club, Real Madrid, he considered the best player in the world. Some argue he is the best of all time. Often compared to Lionel Messi, Cristiano has five Ballon d’Or awards to his name and takes the number five spot as the 5^th highest paid footballer in the world, earning a large sum of €21m annually.

4. Ezequiel Lavezzi €23m

Argentine-born Ezequiel Lavezzi is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for Chinese club Hebei China Fortune and his country’s national team. Lavezzi is known for his pace, technique and dribbling ability. He is often used as a winger or deployed as the second striker occasionally. Lavezzi Ranks as the 4^th highest paid footballer with his yearly earnings at €23m

3. Oscar dos Santos Emboaba Júnior €24m

Oscar was born on the 9^th of September 1991. He plays as an attacking midfielder for Chinese club, Shanghai SIPG. In 2016 it was confirmed by the Chinese Super League side Shanghai SIPG  that the club had agreed on terms with Chelsea for Brazilian professional footballer at a reported £60m. Oscar earns €24m a year, ranking as the third highest paid footballer in the world.

2. Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior €36m

Born 5^th February 1992, Neymar is the second highest paid footballer in the world, earning a total of €36m a year. The Brazilian born star plays as a forward for the French club, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). Known for his ability to use both feet, amazing finish, and dribbling, Neymar is sometimes compared to Brazilian legend,  Pele´.

1. Lionel Andre´ Messi €46m

Lionel Messi, the highly regarded greatest in the world. He takes the number one spot as the highest paid footballer, earning a whopping €46m. Born June 24^th, 1987, the Argentinian bomb has five Ballon d’Ors to his name, four of which he won consecutively. He is his countries highest goal scorer and currently plays as a right winger for Spanish club FC Barcelona and for his country’s national team.