4 players who will make more money than Messi in 2024 | sports

Argentine Lionel Messi is considered one of the greatest football players of all time, and therefore one of the richest players in the world, but he is not the player who earns the most money in 2024.

According to Statista, there is a small group of players who now earn more than the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Inter Miami star Messi currently earns $65 million annually, taking into account performance bonuses.

The Argentine international had a golden opportunity to become the highest-paid player in the world, but he rejected huge sums of money offered to him from the Middle East to complete his career in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Below are the four players who earn higher wages than Messi, and this does not include any off-field earnings such as promotions and advertisements.

4- Brazilian Neymar (Saudi Al Hilal)

The Statista website reported that Neymar, who joined Al Hilal in 2023 with a two-year contract, receives $80 million annually for his efforts on the field.

This amount is astonishing, and becomes even more shocking simply to know that the Brazilian has only played 5 matches with the ‘Boss’ so far.

The former Paris Saint-Germain striker suffered a tear in his anterior cruciate ligament last year, but is expected to return to action soon.

3- Frenchman Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)

Mbappe joined Real Madrid on a free transfer this summer, signing a huge contract in the process.

The French international currently earns $90 million annually, equivalent to $1.31 million weekly when performance bonuses are taken into account.

Media reports indicated that Mbappe rejected a previous offer from Al Hilal Saudi Arabia worth 700 million euros in exchange for playing for one year.

4- Frenchman Karim Benzema (Saudi Al-Ittihad)

After winning 25 titles with Real Madrid during his 14 years in its ranks and leading them to the Champions League in 2022, which was enough to give him his first Ballon d’Or award, Benzema agreed to move to the Saudi club Al-Ittihad in 2023 on a free transfer.

The 36-year-old Frenchman will receive a salary of $100 million during his three-year contract.

Last season, the veteran striker participated in 29 matches and scored 13 goals. He also scored a better start in the current season by scoring 7 goals in 6 matches.

1- Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo (Saudi Al-Nassr)

After a dispute with Manchester United, Ronaldo moved to the Saudi club Al-Nassr in late 2022 with a contract extending until 2025.

According to Statista, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, the Portuguese star, earns $200 million annually.

The former Real Madrid, Juventus and Manchester United star is considered the first major player whom Saudi Arabia has succeeded in luring to come to the Middle East, which opened the door for other stars.

The Saudi Professional League currently includes brilliant names such as Senegalese Sadio Mane and Kalidou Koulibaly, Gabonese Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Spaniard Nacho, Brazilians Firmino and Fabinho, and Algerian Riyad Mahrez.