The Biggest Football Contracts in History: A Look at the Sport's Most Lucrative Deals
Hello, football fans! Today, we're diving into the world of big bucks and taking a look at the biggest football contracts that have ever been signed. We're talking about the kind of money that can make your eyes water and your bank account weep with envy. So, grab a cup of coffee (or tea, we don't discriminate) and let's get started! Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and biggest football contract.
The Biggest Football Contracts** of All Time
Cristiano Ronaldo's Biggest Football Contract Ever
Kicking off our list is a name that needs no introduction – Cristiano Ronaldo. In 2018, the Portuguese superstar signed a biggest football contract worth a staggering €105 million (around $120 million at the time) with Italian giants Juventus. This four-year deal made him the highest-paid player in football history, with a reported annual salary of €30 million (around $34 million).
But that's not all, folks! Ronaldo's contract also included some pretty sweet bonuses. We're talking €1 million (around $1.1 million) for every 50 goals he scores and €1 million for every title Juventus win. Not bad for a day's work, eh?
Lionel Messi's Biggest Football Contract Battle
Now, we couldn't talk about the biggest football contracts without mentioning Lionel Messi. The Argentine maestro has been in a bit of a contract tango with Barcelona for a few years now, with both sides trying to outbid each other.
In 2017, Messi signed a biggest football contract extension with Barcelona worth €555 million (around $647 million) over four years. This deal included a €70 million (around $80 million) signing bonus and a €20 million (around $23 million) annual salary, making it one of the biggest football contracts in history.
However, in 2021, Messi's contract expired, and Barcelona couldn't afford to renew it due to financial struggles. This led to a bidding war between Barcelona, Manchester City, and Paris Saint-Germain. In the end, PSG came out on top, signing Messi to a biggest football contract worth €35 million (around $41 million) per year, plus bonuses.
Neymar's Biggest Football Contract Record
Speaking of PSG, let's talk about Neymar. In 2017, the Brazilian forward signed a biggest football contract worth €300 million (around $345 million) over five years with the French club. This deal made Neymar the most expensive player in history and the highest-paid footballer at the time, with an annual salary of €30 million (around $34 million).
But here's the kicker – Neymar's contract also includes a €200 million (around $235 million) loyalty bonus if he stays with PSG until 2022. That's right, folks! Neymar could potentially earn half a billion dollars just for sticking around. Not too shabby, huh?
The Biggest Football Contracts in the Premier League
Paul Pogba's Biggest Football Contract in the Premier League
The biggest football contracts in the Premier League are no joke, and Paul Pogba's deal with Manchester United is one of the most lucrative. In 2016, the French midfielder signed a five-year contract worth a reported €100 million (around $116 million), making him one of the highest-paid players in the league.
Pogba's contract includes an annual salary of €15 million (around $17 million), plus bonuses for appearances and goals. But that's not all – Pogba also has a €500,000 (around $570,000) loyalty bonus for every year he stays at the club. Not bad for a midfielder, huh?
Harry Kane's Biggest Football Contract Negotiations
Harry Kane has been in the news lately for his contract negotiations with Tottenham Hotspur. The English striker has expressed his desire to leave the club and has been linked with a move to Manchester City. However, Tottenham has been holding out for a biggest football contract that reflects Kane's worth.
Rumors have been swirling about Kane's potential salary at Manchester City, with some reports suggesting he could earn up to €20 million (around $23 million) per year. If true, this would make Kane one of the highest-paid players in the Premier League and one of the biggest football contracts in history.
The Biggest Football Contracts in the World Cup
Cristiano Ronaldo's Biggest Football Contract with Portugal
We've already talked about Cristiano Ronaldo's biggest football contract with Juventus, but did you know he also has a biggest football contract with his national team, Portugal? In 2018, Ronaldo signed a deal worth a reported €10 million (around $11.5 million) to play for Portugal in the World Cup.
But here's the thing – Ronaldo didn't actually receive any of that money. Instead, he donated it all to charities and institutions in Portugal. Now that's what we call a true sportsman!
The Biggest Football Contracts in the WSL
Sam Kerr's Biggest Football Contract in the WSL
The biggest football contracts aren't just reserved for the men's game – the women's game has its fair share of lucrative deals too. In 2021, Sam Kerr signed a biggest football contract worth a reported €500,000 (around $570,000) per year with Chelsea FC Women.
Kerr's deal made her the highest-paid player in the Women's Super League (WSL) and one of the highest-paid female footballers in the world. Not bad for a striker, huh?
The Biggest Football Contracts in the MLS
David Beckham's Biggest Football Contract in the MLS
The biggest football contracts in the MLS have been growing in recent years, and David Beckham's deal with the LA Galaxy is one of the most notable. In 2007, Beckham signed a five-year contract worth a reported €250 million (around $315 million), making him the highest-paid player in MLS history at the time.
Beckham's contract included an annual salary of €30 million (around $37 million), plus bonuses for appearances and goals. But here's the kicker – Beckham also had a stake in the club's future TV rights, which could have earned him an additional €100 million (around $125 million) if he had stayed with the club until 2012.
The Biggest Football Contracts in the World
Lionel Messi's Biggest Football Contract with PSG
We've already talked about Lionel Messi's biggest football contract with Barcelona and PSG, but it's worth mentioning again because it's one of the biggest football contracts in the world. Messi's deal with PSG is worth a reported €35 million (around $41 million) per year, plus bonuses.
But here's the thing – Messi's contract also includes a €25 million (around $29 million) signing bonus and a €10 million (around $12 million) loyalty bonus for every year he stays with the club. That's right, folks! Messi could potentially earn a quarter of a billion dollars just for sticking around. Not too shabby, huh?
The Biggest Football Contracts in the History of Football
Gareth Bale's Biggest Football Contract with Real Madrid
Gareth Bale's contract with Real Madrid is one of the biggest football contracts in the history of football. In 2016, the Welsh winger signed a six-year deal worth a reported €100 million (around $116 million), making him one of the highest-paid players in the world at the time.
Bale's contract included an annual salary of €20 million (around $23 million), plus bonuses for appearances and goals. But here's the kicker – Bale's contract also included a €50 million (around $58 million) signing bonus, making it one of the most lucrative deals in football history.
The Biggest Football Contracts in the History of Soccer
Zlatan Ibrahimovic's Biggest Football Contract with AC Milan
Zlatan Ibrahimovic's contract with AC Milan is one of the biggest football contracts in the history of soccer. In 2020, the Swedish striker signed a one-year deal worth a reported €7 million (around $8 million), plus bonuses.
But here's the thing – Ibrahimovic's contract also included a €20 million (around $23 million) loyalty bonus for every year he stays with the club. That's right, folks! Ibrahimovic could potentially earn a quarter of a billion dollars just for sticking around. Not bad for a striker in his 30s, huh?
The Biggest Football Contracts in the History of the Beautiful Game
Kylian Mbappé's Biggest Football Contract with PSG
Kylian Mbappé's contract with PSG is one of the biggest football contracts in the history of the beautiful game. In 2020, the French forward signed a three-year deal worth a reported €35 million (around $41 million) per year, plus bonuses.
But here's the kicker – Mbappé's contract also includes a €100 million (around $116 million) loyalty bonus for every year he stays with the club. That's right, folks! Mbappé could potentially earn a quarter of a billion dollars just for sticking around. Not too shabby, huh?
The Biggest Football Contracts in the History of the World
Cristiano Ronaldo's Biggest Football Contract with Al Nassr
We've already talked about Cristiano Ronaldo's biggest football contract with Juventus, but did you know he has another biggest football contract with Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr? In 2023, Ronaldo signed a two-and-a-half-year deal worth a reported €200 million (around $225 million), making it one of the biggest football contracts in the history of the world.
Ronaldo's contract includes an annual salary of €100 million (around $112 million), plus bonuses for appearances and goals. But here's the kicker – Ronaldo also has a stake in the club's future TV rights, which could earn him an additional €100 million (around $1