See which World Cup stars take home the biggest paychecks, including 2 billionaires

• Soccer stars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are both billionaires.
• The highest-paid players in the World Cup have business dealings and sponsorships off the pitch.
• These include ownership of other teams, real-estate ventures, and brand ambassador deals.

The 2026 World Cup — expected to be the most profitable in the tournament’s history — kicked off on Thursday.

FIFA said it could generate $13 billion in revenue from the four-year cycle that concludes with the roughly five-week-long tournament. It estimated that the World Cup could add about $17.2 billion to US GDP, and extensive infrastructure investments have been made across the country in preparation for the tournament and its festivities.

But the wealth extends onto the field, too.

Multiple players earn over tens of millions of dollars each year. Forbes recently compiled a list of the highest-paid players at the World Cup, taking earnings both on and off the field into account, and we’ve listed the top five below.

Forbes did not include investment income in its off-field totals, apart from earnings from equity stakes that were sold.

We also listed the players’ other business ventures, such as brand deals and their own companies, that contribute to their wealth beyond their record-breaking club contracts.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo, 41, is heading into a record sixth World Cup with Portugal.

His earnings have broken multiple records, too. His current deal with the Saudi club Al-Nassr earned him $235 million in the past 12 months, Forbes reported, making him the highest-paid athlete in the world.

His large contracts with various clubs over his 24-year career have played a major role in his $1.2 billion net worth, per the publication’s estimate.

With many business ventures rounding out his portfolio, Forbes also estimates that he earned $65 million off the field in the past year.

His CR7 brand sells products from underwear and shoes to fragrances, while a partnership with the hospitality company Pestana has resulted in hotels in New York City, Lisbon, Madrid, and Marrakesh. Another partnership with Crunch Fitness has produced CR7-branded gyms.

Ronaldo also co-founded Insparya Group, a company focused on hair health and research, the Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia reported.

Lionel Messi

Messi, 38, is hoping to lead his team, Argentina, to back-to-back World Cup wins. This will also be his sixth time playing in the tournament.

Forbes reported earlier this month that Messi had achieved billionaire status. He earned $70 million on the field in the past 12 months and $70 million off the field, the publication estimated.

While his contract with Inter Miami “only” earns him a yearly $28 million, Bloomberg reported that his earnings are closer to $80 million when accounting for his ownership stake in the club.

Like Ronaldo, Messi has also gotten in on the hotel business. He founded MiM Hotels in 2017. Now operated under the brand Meliá Hotels International, the chain has six hotels across Spain and Andorra, Forbes reported.

Soccer fans will also recognize Messi in commercials for various brands. He has maintained partnerships with companies including Adidas, Lowe’s, Michelob Ultra, and Lay’s.

The Argentine also founded an energy-drink company, Mas+, as well as his own production company, 525 Rosario, per ESPN.

Kylian Mbappé

Mbappé, the 27-year-old captain of the French team, made $70 million in the 2025-2026 club season from his contract with Real Madrid, Forbes reported.

He also reportedly brought home an additional $25 million in the past year for off-field ventures.

Many of Mbappé’s money moves have been in sports. Through his investment company, Coalition Capital, he became the majority shareholder of the soccer club Stade Malherbe de Caen in 2024, ESPN reported. The club now plays in France’s third division.

Mbappé has also invested in France’s team in SailGP, a professional sailing league founded by Larry Ellison in 2019, according to the league.

In 2022, Mbappé invested in Sorare, a virtual sports card game that uses blockchain. He also became the company’s first player ambassador.

Erling Haaland

Haaland, Norway’s star striker, made $60 million on the field over the past year, thanks to his massive 10-year contract extension with Manchester City, Forbes reported.

The publication also estimated that the 25-year-old earned $20 million off the field over the past 12 months.

His most notable investments have been in chess — he has a large stake in the Norway Chess tournament, according to ESPN.

Norway Chess is also developing an international tournament known as the Total Chess World Championship, which is set to have a prize pool of at least $2.7 million.

Vinícius Júnior

Forbes estimates Vinícius Júnior earned $40 million on the field over the past year. The 25-year-old Brazilian has been at Real Madrid since he was 18.

Off the field, he reportedly earned $20 million in the past year.

Vinícius Júnior is part of a group of investors that acquired a majority stake in the Portuguese soccer club FC Alverca.

According to Sports Illustrated, he’s had a sponsorship deal with Nike since he was 13, and has other deals with brands such as Gatorade, EA Sports, and Pepsi.