Forbes magazine published a ranking of the highest paid football players in the world in 2023. Its leaders are Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi – two bitter rivals who have been competing with each other for more than 15 years.

Moreover, Krish beats Leo with a huge advantage.

But how true are these numbers?

Opaque data

Forbes analysts found that Ronaldo earned $260 million this year. The amount includes income from the contract with Al-Nasr (200 million), as well as commercial and sponsorship agreements. Conversion into rubles gives an astronomical amount – 25.2 billion rubles!

According to experts, Cristiano’s move to Saudi Arabia became a trigger for other football players from Europe. Other megastars followed him, which is why the once mediocre championship is now almost the most popular in the world. Ronaldo actually became an investment in which Al-Nasr invested, and it played a positive role – if not in gaming or financial terms, then certainly in media and reputational terms.

Cristiano Ronaldo / Photo: © Yasser Bakhsh / Stringer / Getty Images Sport / Gettyimages.ru

However, it is not a fact that huge numbers can be real. Forbes notes that there is a strong opinion among insiders and analysts: in Saudi Arabia, they deliberately distort public reports, depicting inflated amounts in them. Many of the data are educated guesses rather than real indicators. Therefore, it is not a fact that Ronaldo earned 260 million in a year – perhaps this figure is much less.

The Saudis are known for their lack of transparency when it comes to their business dealings. This is especially true for expenses that seem to contradict business logic, Forbes notes.

Emphasis on advertising

Second place in the ranking is taken by Lionel Messi, who earned $135 million, or approximately 13.1 billion rubles, over the year. It is worth noting that most of the amount is advertising contracts: they bring the Argentine $70 million. Messi receives the remaining 65 million under his employment contract with Inter Miami.

Experts note that the world champion’s move to the United States had a positive impact on the development of football in North America. Moreover, the “Messi effect” is observed even in those matches where Lionel does not participate. An example is the game against Chicago Fire on October 5th. The Argentine was absent due to injury, but the match still attracted a crazy crowd – 62,124 people came to Soldier Field. Chicago earned about $10 million, more than all of its previous home games combined.

“To lure the 36-year-old Argentine to MLS, Messi’s contract with Inter Miami stipulates a share of income from the league’s partners, as well as the opportunity to buy part of the club’s shares when he retires,” Forbes notes.

Lionel Messi / Photo: © Carmen Mandato / Staff / Getty Images Sport / Gettyimages.ru

Crazy spending

Neymar takes third place in the ranking. Since the new season, the flamboyant Brazilian has been playing in Saudi Arabia for Al-Hilal. His annual earnings are estimated at $112 million, or 10.8 billion rubles.

For the sake of the star, Al-Hilal went to crazy expenses. Neymar was given a mansion with servants, an elite car park, a private jet, and was even allowed to live with his girlfriend, although cohabitation outside of marriage is contrary to Saudi law. According to the contract, the Brazilian will receive $80 million this season, with the rest of the income coming from advertising agreements.

“Al-Hilal can afford it.” In June, the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, whose assets are estimated at $700 billion, took control of it. The Saudis are looking to shake up the football landscape and are not shy about spending huge amounts of money on world stars, analysts add.

Neymar / Photo: © Francois Nel / Staf / Getty Images Sport / Gettyimages.ru

However, we should not forget that in Arabia they can draw up public reports for their own purposes. Therefore, Neymar’s real income is most likely much lower than what was published.

Before taxes

Last year’s leader of the ranking, Kylian Mbappe (PSG), “fell” to fourth place – during the year he earned $110 million (10.6 billion rubles). The top five is closed by Karim Benzema from Al-Ittihad – $106 million (10.2 billion rubles, downward adjustment possible). Also included in the ranking are Erling Haaland (Manchester City, $58 million), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool, $53 million), Sadio Mane (Al-Nasr, $52 million), Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City, 39 million), Harry Kane (Bayern, 36 million) and Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona, ​​34 million).

It is worth noting that all amounts do not include taxes and agency fees. Therefore, the actual earnings that fall to the player’s bank card are much less.

What will happen next?

Four players in the ranking represent Saudi Arabian clubs. They are no longer young and went to Asia solely to earn money. In no case should they be condemned – everyone, as you know, chooses for himself. But how viable is this development model for Saudi football?

“Everyone still looks at Ronaldo, Benzema and other world-class players. But they only have two years left. What will happen next? Will European clubs buy them out? Or should we expect Messi-style deals? – says sports marketer Rossi Biddle, quoted by Forbes.

At the same time, there is a feeling that the Saudi market is not yet saturated, and the most high-profile transfers are ahead. Therefore, there is no doubt: the top football players from the Saudi Arabian championship have been included in all sorts of monetary ratings for a long time.