World's costliest footballer is Messi
Top Earners Over 34 in Football: A Closer Look
In the world of football, age is just a number for some of the game's most illustrious players. However, when it comes to the top earners, those over the age of 34 are a rare sight. Let's delve into the current landscape of the highest-paid footballers aged 34 and above.
Thomas Müller, aged 34, is one such player, currently plying his trade for Bayern with a transfer value of 12 million euros. His fellow countryman, Marco Reus, also 34, is at Borussia Dortmund with a transfer value of 7.5 million euros. Henrikh Mkhitaryan, 34, plays for Inter and has a transfer value of 6 million euros, while Dušan Tadić, also 34, can be found at Fenerbahçe with a transfer value of 5.5 million euros.
Among the top 10 highest-paid footballers globally, only Cristiano Ronaldo, aged 40, and Andrés Iniesta, 39, fit the criteria. Ronaldo, who plays for Al-Nassr, has an annual salary of approximately $180.5 million, equating to £3.47 million per week. Iniesta, who is nearing retirement, earned around $30 million annually during his time at Vissel Kobe.
The other top earners, such as Lionel Messi (36), Mohamed Salah (31), Kylian Mbappé (23), Neymar (31), Erling Haaland (23), Raheem Sterling, Eden Hazard (32), and Kevin De Bruyne (33), are mostly under 34 or just under the threshold. Their salaries range from $29 million to $130 million per year.
In the case of Messi, the Argentine superstar joined Inter Miami last summer as a free agent after his departure from Paris Saint-Germain. In his debut season at Inter Miami, Messi played in 14 matches across various tournaments, scoring 11 goals and making 5 assists.
Robert Lewandowski, aged 35, is another notable player, now at Barcelona with a transfer value of 30 million euros. Ángel Di María, also 35, can be found at Benfica with a transfer value of 8 million euros.
In conclusion, while the top earners in football are predominantly under 34, there are still a few exceptional players over the age of 34 who continue to make a significant impact in the game.
Thomas Müller, 34, and Marco Reus, also 34, are high-earning footballers in European-leagues, playing for Bayern and Borussia Dortmund, respectively. Henrikh Mkhitaryan, 34, is at Inter, and Dušan Tadić, the same age, can be found at Fenerbahçe. Despite being over 34, only Cristiano Ronaldo and Andrés Iniesta are among the top 10 highest-paid footballers globally. European-leagues continue to see significant contributions from players like Robert Lewandowski, 35, and Ángel Di María, also 35.
