There’s no doubting that the English Premier League and football finance has rocketed since the turn of the century, making some players the richest athletes on earth.
While many of the great footballers of the 1970s and 1980s are still viewed as the best ever, some of them are not the world’s richest due to the financial clout clubs can now offer in the modern day.
Like every athlete though, there comes a time when the boots must be hung up and a new career path taken - but how many of the footballing greats have managed to extend their wealth in retirement?
Here are the 10 richest former footballers in 2024 - according to CelebrityNetWorth.
Like every athlete though, there comes a time when the boots must be hung up and a new career path taken - but how many of the footballing greats have managed to extend their wealth in retirement?
![It feels weird to think of the Chelsea icon as a retired player but after calling it quits last summer, he is officially no longer a pro. His talent still sees him valued at a reported $100 million net worth though.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/03/18/13/11/GettyImages-1146882468.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
9. Eden Hazard - $100 million
It feels weird to think of the Chelsea icon as a retired player but after calling it quits last summer, he is officially no longer a pro. His talent still sees him valued at a reported $100 million net worth though.
![Perhaps the first surprise name on the list is this German defender/midfielder. World class in his day and won just about everything though - so maybe it makes sense!](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjc5NDU2OWVkLTE1MjYtNDQxZi04Y2Y3LTdlMjUyMTY5YzIyNDo3NGJjYmEwNC00M2MyLTQ3YjctYjRlYi1kYjU5NWMxZmZkOTI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
10. Philippe Lahm - $100 million
Perhaps the first surprise name on the list is this German defender/midfielder. World class in his day and won just about everything though - so maybe it makes sense! Photo: Ross Kinnaird