Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal’s forward and captain, as the wealthiest footballer competing in this year’s tournament in Brazil, according to Wealth-X Net Worth Valuation.
“With an estimated net worth of US$230 million, Ronaldo’s personal fortune accounts for nearly one-quarter of the combined net worth of the 10 players in the Wealth-X World Cup Rich List, beating other high-profile soccer players such as Lionel Messi from Argentina and England’s Wayne Rooney,” estimated Wealth-X
England has more ultra wealthy soccer players on the Wealth-X World Cup Rich List than any other country: forward Rooney (US$95 million), and mid-fielders Frank Lampard (US$60 million) and Steven Gerrard (US$55 million).
The 2010 World Cup champion, Spain, has only one ultra wealthy footballer on the list, Fernando Torres, who has an estimated net worth of US$50 million. Host Brazil does not have a footballer on the Wealth-X list although their star player, Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, has an estimated net worth of US$25 million.
Italy’s Gianluigi Buffon, who has an estimated net worth of US$50 million, is the only goalkeeper in the list, which primarily consists of midfielders or strikers.Eight footballers on the list are current or past players in the English Premier League, except Argentina’s Messi and Buffon.
Top ten richest World Cup 2014 players:
1. Cristiano Ronaldo (National Team: Portugal) – 230 Net Worth (US$ Million);
2. Lionel Messi (National Team: Argentina) – 180 Net Worth (US$ Million);
3. Wayne Rooney (National Team: England) – 95 Net Worth (US$ Million);
4. Didier Drogba (National Team: Cote d’Ivoire/ Ivory Coast) – 90 Net Worth (US$ Million);
5. Samuel Eto’o (National Team: Cameroon) – 75 Net Worth (US$ Million);
6. Yaya Toure (National Team: Cote d’Ivoire/ Ivory Coast) – 70 Net Worth (US$ Million);
7. Frank Lampard (England) – 60 Net Worth (US$ Million);
8. Steven Gerard (England) – 55 Net Worth (US$ Million);
9. FERNANDO TORRES (Spain) – 50 Net Worth (US$ Million);
10. GIANLUIGI BUFFON (Italy) – 50 Net Worth (US$ Million);
