Top 10 Richest Retired Footballers 2025

These players either built their empires even after leaving the game, some by investing in companies outside the sport, others by sticking around and becoming club owners and investors themselves.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders in football history, Iniesta earned well during his long and trophy-filled career at Barcelona.

After leaving Europe, he continued earning massive wages in Japan with Vissel Kobe before moving to the UAE.

Beyond football, Iniesta has built several business interests, most notably his successful wine company, Bodega Iniesta, which continues to grow globally.

Read full Andres Iniesta Net Worth

Bale became one of football’s highest-paid stars during his time at Real Madrid, thanks to a world-record transfer fee and a huge salary. His endorsement deals, especially with Adidas, also brought in millions.

Off the pitch, the Welshman invested heavily in golf-themed businesses, real estate, and sports ventures, ensuring Bale's wealth continued to grow long after retirement.

Ronaldo is regarded as arguably the greatest striker of all time by some old heads in football. The retired Brazilian striker had iconic moments during his playing career, leading his country to the FIFA World Cup trophy in 2002.

He represented clubs like Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Barcelona and AC Milan, making cool money along the way and bagging endorsement deals.

After leaving the game, Ronaldo decided to invest in football by becoming a club owner, taking over Real Valladolid and Cruzeiro.

The majority of his wealth comes from brand deals, and ambassador roles have helped him remain among the richest retired players.

Zlatan is one of the most-travelled footballers, representing a lot of clubs during his active playing days. The Swede demanded huge wages across these moves, and he got them, as he played for some of the biggest clubs in the world, including PSG, Barcelona, Manchester United, Juventus, Inter and AC Milan.

He was able to build his brand off the pitch as well, launching clothing and sportswear businesses.

His commercial value is also on the high side due to his continued relevance, helping him bag sponsorships, and commercial partnerships that continue to bring in revenue.

Read full Zlatan Ibrahimovic Net Worth

Manchester United’s all-time top scorer earned massive wages during his time in the Premier League and MLS.

Since retiring, Rooney has stayed in football as a manager while also building income through endorsements, punditry, and business ventures that keep him among the wealthiest former players.

Read full Wayne Rooney Net Worth.

Whelan’s football career ended decades ago, but he created an enormous fortune through business.

When he retired, Whelan focused on building JJB Sports, and he successfully turned the brand into one of the biggest retail chains in the UK.

After his success in the retail business, Whelan invested in football by becoming the owner of Wigan Athletic.

However, his business success remains the major source of his wealth, and it keeps Dave Whelan's net worth growing.

Read full Dave Whelan Net Worth

Braithwaite shocked many when he joined Barcelona, but his wealth actually comes from outside football.

The Danish forward is a major investor in real estate projects in the United States, with a portfolio valued in the hundreds of millions. His business ventures far exceed what he earned on the pitch.

Beckham embodied what it was to be a true global superstar during his active playing days. He not only earned a lot of wages for his football ability, but he also bagged deals and endorsements through his lifestyle off the pitch. He built an empire with his wife, Victoria Beckham, who was a member of the famous Spice Girls.

After leaving football, he invested his wealth in businesses across fashion and fragrances. However, his biggest investment was co-owning MLS side Inter Miami, which has served as a major boost to his net worth.

Read full David Beckham Net Worth

Saha made a name for himself as a footballer, representing Manchester United and Fulham, among others. He earned considerably well, but his position on this list is down to his business investment post-retirement.

The Frenchman co-founded AxisStars, a platform that connects athletes and entertainers with trusted service providers.

He has also invested in multiple companies and industries, helping him amass one of the largest fortunes among retired footballers.

The former Arsenal and AC Milan midfielder tops the list by a huge margin, thanks to his investment in GF Biochemicals, a company he co-founded that is pioneering sustainable solutions in the chemical industry.

The company became the first to mass-produce levulinic acid, a product with enormous potential across multiple sectors. This breakthrough has made Flamini one of the richest athletes in the world, far beyond his football earnings.

Flamini has the highest net worth of any former football player, and even any current one. The former Arsenal midfielder is worth $14 billion thanks to his investment in GF Biochemicals, a company he co-founded that is pioneering sustainable solutions in the chemical industry.