Let’s get this straight. The richest soccer player in the world isn’t Messi or Ronaldo. Surprised? You should be.
We’re talking about Faiq Bolkiah. He plays for a Thai club called Ratchaburi. And he’s worth billions.
Wait, Who Is He?
Faiq Bolkiah is a winger from Brunei. He’s also a prince. Yes, an actual prince.
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His father is the Sultan of Brunei. The Sultan is one of the richest people on Earth. Faiq’s net worth? Estimated at $20 billion.
He doesn’t need soccer. He plays because he loves it. That’s the ultimate flex.
The Crazy Money Gap
Cristiano Ronaldo makes about $260 million a year. That’s insane, right? But Faiq’s family owns more than that in gold and luxury cars.
The Sultan has a car collection of over 7,000 vehicles. Many of them are custom-built. Faiq probably borrows one for a quick trip to training.
His home is the Istana Nurul Iman palace. It has 1,788 rooms. That’s bigger than the entire training ground of some clubs.
But His Soccer Career?
Faiq started at Leicester City’s academy. He never made a first-team appearance. He moved to Marítimo, then to a club in Portugal’s lower leagues.
Now he plays in Thailand. His salary there? Probably pocket change. We’re talking maybe a few thousand dollars a month.
He doesn’t care. He just wants to play. That’s refreshingly humble.
Why Isn’t He Famous?
Because he’s not flashy on Instagram. He has no entourage. No flashy sponsorship deals.
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He just shows up, does his job, and flies home in a private jet. No big deal.
Fun fact: his full name is Faiq Bolkiah. He shares the same last name as the Sultan. That’s like being named “King” but actually meaning it.
The Other Richest Players
Okay, let’s talk about the normal rich ones. Lionel Messi is worth around $600 million. That’s a lot of empanadas.
Ronaldo is close, with $500 million. He owns a hotel chain and cologne. But neither can buy a private island with a diamond-covered yacht.
Faiq’s family could buy a whole country. Literally. Brunei has no external debt. They export oil and gas.
So when Faiq signs an autograph, he’s not doing it for the money. He’s doing it for the joy.
The Quirky Part
Imagine being in the locker room. Your teammate drops a “Can I borrow a tenner?” You shrug, then remember his dad owns a gold-plated toilet.
Faiq’s palace has a banquet hall for 5,000 guests. His personal bathroom? Maybe bigger than your apartment.
He once posted a photo with a tiger. A real tiger. That’s a normal Tuesday for him.
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Why This Matters (Sort Of)
It’s fun to obsess over money. But here’s the twist: Faiq isn’t about cash. He chose a sport with grueling training and tiny crowds.
He could have been a billionaire playboy. Instead, he chases a ball. That’s surprisingly wholesome.
And no, he can’t buy the World Cup. Not yet, anyway.
What About Future Richest?
Kylian Mbappé is young and wealthy. He earns $200 million a year. But he’s still 100 times less rich than Faiq.
Erling Haaland? He’s on the rise. But his bank account doesn’t have a “royal” clause.
The only person who could challenge Faiq is his cousin. Prince Abdul Mateen. But he’s in the military, not soccer.
The Takeaway
So who is the richest soccer player in the world? Faiq Bolkiah. Remember that name.
He’s a prince who plays for love. He’s a billionaire who doesn’t show off. He’s proof that money doesn’t buy happiness—but it does buy a private island and a pet tiger.
Next time you watch a soccer match, think about the guy in the cheap jersey. He might be richer than your entire country.
And if you ever meet him? Ask him for a ride in the Sultan’s gold Lamborghini. He might just say yes.