In the world of modern soccer, two giant names stand out - Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. As the most talented and marketable players in the world, it is unsurprising that they top the list of highest-earning soccer players in 2021. Cristiano Ronaldo just edged out his rival in the 2021 rankings, earning 70 million U.S. dollars through his salary and bonuses and a further 55 million U.S. dollars in endorsements.
Ronaldo's homecoming
The Portuguese star, Cristiano Ronaldo, has had a long and illustrious career, which came full circle in 2021 when he returned to the club where he first made his name, Manchester United. With 135 goals as of 2021, the forward is the all-time top scorer in the UEFA Champions League since 1955. Ronaldo spent the height of his career at Real Madrid, one of the most valuable European soccer teams. The Madrid-based team has the most titles in the UEFA Champions League, taking home the trophy four out of five times between 2013 and 2018. However, having won everything imaginable at Real Madrid, Ronaldo sought a new challenge in 2018 and transferred to Juventus to try his luck in the Italian Serie A. After three years in Italy, where he won the Serie A title twice, as well as the Coppa Italia, Ronaldo made the switch back to Manchester ahead of the 2021/22 season.
Messi's European dominance
The list of Lionel Messi's personal and club achievements is almost endless. Since his debut back in 2004, the diminutive attacker played over 750 matches for Barcelona and scored at a rate of almost one goal every game. He has also won the Ballon d’Or/FIFA Ballon d'Or award – the most prestigious award in soccer – a total of five times. Messi led FC Barcelona to four of their five total UEFA Champions League titles, and a staggering 10 domestic league titles. FC Barcelona is one of the most valuable sports team brands in the world, valued at over four billion U.S. dollars. However, following months of speculation, Messi finally left his boyhood club in 2021 to seek a new challenge at French champions Paris-Saint Germain.
Highest-paid soccer players in salaries and endorsements worldwide in 2021
(in million U.S. dollars)
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Forbes. (September 21, 2021). Highest-paid soccer players in salaries and endorsements worldwide in 2021 (in million U.S. dollars) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved August 13, 2022, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/266636/best-paid-soccer-players-in-the-2009-2010-season/
Forbes. "Highest-paid soccer players in salaries and endorsements worldwide in 2021 (in million U.S. dollars)." Chart. September 21, 2021. Statista. Accessed August 13, 2022. https://www.statista.com/statistics/266636/best-paid-soccer-players-in-the-2009-2010-season/
Forbes. (2021). Highest-paid soccer players in salaries and endorsements worldwide in 2021 (in million U.S. dollars). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: August 13, 2022. https://www.statista.com/statistics/266636/best-paid-soccer-players-in-the-2009-2010-season/
Forbes. "Highest-paid Soccer Players in Salaries and Endorsements Worldwide in 2021 (in Million U.S. Dollars)." Statista, Statista Inc., 21 Sep 2021, https://www.statista.com/statistics/266636/best-paid-soccer-players-in-the-2009-2010-season/
Forbes, Highest-paid soccer players in salaries and endorsements worldwide in 2021 (in million U.S. dollars) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/266636/best-paid-soccer-players-in-the-2009-2010-season/ (last visited August 13, 2022)
