Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are often considered the wealthiest footballers due to their massive wages and endorsements. However, the true richest footballer in the world is Faiq Bolkiah, whose personal fortune is estimated at £15.7 billion ($20 billion), dwarfing the combined wealth of the two superstars.
Faiq Bolkiah's Royal Background
The 28-year-old was born in Los Angeles but is of Bruneian heritage. He is the son of Prince Jefri Bolkiah, a member of the Bruneian royal family, and the nephew of the Sultan of Brunei. This connection gives him access to the royal family's estimated £200 billion wealth.
According to Forbes, Ronaldo has a net worth of approximately £908.6 million ($1.2 billion), while Messi stands at £833 million ($1.1 billion). Bolkiah's fortune is seven times greater than their combined riches.
Football Career Struggles
Despite his wealth, Bolkiah's football career has not matched his financial status. He came through the academies of Southampton, Leicester, and Chelsea but failed to make a first-team breakthrough. He recalls a heavy defeat with Southampton's Under-16s against Chelsea, which included talents like Tammy Abraham and Fikayo Tomori.
After joining Chelsea, he struggled to impress and moved to Leicester in December 2015. He left in 2020 without a senior appearance and later signed for Portuguese side Maritimo, a move he regrets due to lack of playing time.
Currently, Bolkiah plays for Thai League 1 side Ratchaburi, where he has made only two appearances in the 2025/26 season. He remains focused on his career in Asia, avoiding clubs that might sign him for non-football reasons.
While his football journey has been disappointing, Bolkiah can still claim the title of the world's wealthiest footballer, a distinction that neither Ronaldo nor Messi can take from him.
