Highest earning soccer players worldwide 2022

As of December 2022, Cristiano Ronaldo had the highest salary out of any soccer player worldwide, earning an estimated 200 million U.S. dollars a year with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi earned around 65 million U.S. dollars a year, as well as 55 million U.S. dollars in off-field income.

Who is better, Messi or Ronaldo?

Messi and Ronaldo have been compared throughout their careers, with both players having exceptional ability. On the one hand, Ronaldo is the record goal scorer in the UEFA Champions League and holds many of the individual records in the competition. However, Messi has the one medal that Ronaldo could never win: the World Cup. The Argentinian lifted the famous trophy in 2022 after an exhilarating tournament, in which he scored seven goals.

Ronaldo and Al-Nassr: an example of sportswashing?

Ronaldo is undoubtedly the most well-known player to ever play in the Saudi Pro League, earning a salary more than most people can only dream of. Outside of soccer, Saudi Arabia’s investment in sporting events has been substantial, and human rights organizations have accused the country of using sport to whitewash – or sportswash – human rights abuses. Following his move to Al-Nassr, Amnesty International called on Ronaldo to bring attention to human rights issue in the country. Ronaldo, meanwhile, said he wanted to provide a different vision of the club and country.