The FIFA World Cup 2018 is just around the corner and the biggest spectacle in the footballing world is about to gather the finest talents amongst the 32 competing nations.
And before the one-month tournament starts in Russia on Thursday, Forbes has just published the list of the highest paid footballers in the world.
20. Edison Cavani:
Club: PSG
Country: Uruguay
Major sponsors: Nike, Panini
Earnings: $18 million
Salary and Bonus: $1.5 million
Going to the World Cup: Yes
19. Yaya Toure:
Club: Free Agent(previously Man City)
Country: Ivory Coast
Major Sponsors: Puma
Earnings: $19.6 million
Salar and Bonus: $17.1 million
Endorsements: $2.5 million
Going to the World Cup: No
18. Antoine Griezmann:
Club: Atletico Madrid
Country: France
Major Sponsors: Puma, Huawei
Earnings: $19.7 million
Salar and Bonus: $16.7 million
Endorsements: $3 million
Going to the World Cup: Yes
17. Gerard Pique:
Club: Barcelona
Country: Spain
Major Sponsors: Nike
Earnings: $20.8 million
Salar and Bonus: $17.5 million
Endorsements: $3.3 million
Going to the World Cup: Yes
16. Zlatan Ibrahimovic:
Club: LA Galaxy
Country: Sweden
Major Sponsors: Samsung, Bethard, A-Z clothing(personal brand)
Earnings: $21 million
Salar and Bonus: $15.5 million
Endorsements: $5.5 million
Going to the World Cup: No
15. Hulk:
Club: Shanghai SPIG
Country: Brazil
Major Sponsors: Mizuno
Earnings: $22 million
Salar and Bonus: $21 million
Endorsements: $1 million
Going to the World Cup: No
14. Graziano Pelle:
Club: Shanghai Luneng
Country: Italy
Major Sponsors: Nike
Earnings: $22.1 million
Salar and Bonus: $21.1 million
Endorsements: $1 million
Going to the World Cup: No
13. James Rodriguez:
Club: Bayern Munich
Country: Colombia
Major Sponsors: Adidas, Huawei, Marc Jacobs, Calvin Klien
Earnings: $22.1 million
Salar and Bonus: $16.8 million
Endorsements: $5.3 million
Going to the World Cup: Yes
12. Thiago Silva:
Club: PSG
Country: Brazil
Major Sponsors: Nike
Earnings: $22.4 million
Salar and Bonus: $21.4 million
Endorsements: $1 million
Going to the World Cup: Yes
11. Kylian Mbappe:
Club: PSG
Country: France
Major Sponsors: Nike
Earnings: $22.5 million
Salar and Bonus: $20 million
Endorsements: $1.5 million
Going to the World Cup: Yes
10. Angel Di Maria:
Club: PSG
Country: Argentina
Major Sponsors: Adidas
Earnings: $22.6 million
Salar and Bonus: $20.6 million
Endorsements: $2 million
Going to the World Cup: Yes
9. Sergio Aguero:
Club: Man City
Country: Argentina
Major Sponsors: Puma
Earnings: $23.5 million
Salar and Bonus: $17 million
Endorsements: $6.5 million
Going to the World Cup: Yes
8. Wayne Rooney:
Club: Everton
Country: England
Major Sponsors: Harper Collins
Earnings: $27 million
Salar and Bonus: $22 million
Endorsements: $5 million
Going to the World Cup: No
7. Luis Suarez:
Club: Barcelona
Country: Uruguay
Major Sponsors: Adidas, PES, Gatorade
Earnings: $26.9 million
Salar and Bonus: $19.9 million
Endorsements: $7 million
Going to the World Cup: Yes
6. Oscar:
Club: Shanghai SIPG
Country: Brazil
Major Sponsors: Adidas
Earnings: $27.4 million
Salar and Bonus: $25.9 million
Endorsements: $1.5 million
Going to the World Cup: No
5. Paul Pogba:
Club: Man United
Country: France
Major Sponsors: Adidas
Earnings: $29.5 million
Salar and Bonus: $25 million
Endorsements: $4.5 million
Going to the World Cup: Yes
4. Gareth Bale:
Club: Real Madrid
Country: Wales
Major Sponsors: Adidas
Earnings: $34.6 million
Salar and Bonus: $28.6 million
Endorsements: $6 million
Going to the World Cup: Yes
3. Neymar:
Club: PSG
Country: Brazil
Major Sponsors: Nike, Red Bull, Beats Electronics, McDonald’s
Earnings: $90 million
Salar and Bonus: $73 million
Endorsements: $17 million
Going to the World Cup: Yes
2. Cristiano Ronaldo:
Club: Real Madrid
Country: Portugal
Major Sponsors: Nike, Herbalife, Clear, American Tourister, CR7 jeans, underwear, fragrance, hotels, gyms.
Earnings: $108 million
Salar and Bonus: $61 million
Endorsements: $47 million
Going to the World Cup: Yes
1. Lionel Messi:
Club: Barcelona
Country: Argentina
Major Sponsors: Adidas, Gatorade, Lays, Pepsi, Huawei, Mastercard, Ooredoo
Earnings: $111 million
Salar and Bonus: $84 million
Endorsements: $27 million
Going to the World Cup: Yes
Note: This list has been compiled from Forbes’ article of the highest paid footballers.