Like the like NBA, NFL and other financial powerful sports, football often rewards sporting talent with an abundance of fame - and a huge pay packet - as clubs go in search of the ultimate sporting glories.
With the Saudi Pro League and the Premier League shelling out astronomical wages, the riches are only growing within the game too. But who are the highest paid players in the world?
Here are the 10 footballers players with the highest annual salary, according to Capology - be prepared for some surprise.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo - Al Nassr
Cristiano Ronaldo is comfortably the highest paid player in the world with a reported annual salary of $400,000,000. | AFP via Getty Images Photo: AFP via Getty Images
2. Karim Benzema - Al-Ittihad
The French striking legend earns a reported €300,000,000 a year with Al-Ittihad. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
3. Lionel Messi - Inter Miami
Often referred to as the best ever, Messi is only third on the list of highest paid players with a reported yearly salary of $240,000,000 in the MLS. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
4. Riyad Mahrez - Al-Ahli
A Premier League winner with both Leicester City and Manchester City, he now reportedly earns a staggering €208,800,000 annual wage in the Saudi Pro League. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images