The 2026 FIFA World Cup is making history in more ways than one.
With 48 teams competing across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the tournament is set to be the largest ever staged.
It will also feature something never seen before on football’s biggest stage: two billionaire players.
According to Forbes on Wednesday, Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentine legend Lionel Messi headline the list of the highest-paid players participating in the tournament.
Together, the two icons have accumulated an estimated $440 million in earnings over the past 12 months.
Ronaldo tops the rankings with an astonishing $300 million in total earnings, including $235 million from his playing contract and $65 million from endorsements and business ventures.
The 41-year-old captain of Portugal remains the world’s highest-paid athlete and is estimated to have a net worth of $1.2 billion. Despite a glittering career filled with trophies, the World Cup remains
This post was originally published on this site.
