The 2026 World Cup starts this Thursday (11) with the confrontation between Mexico and South Africa. This will be the first tournament to feature the participation of 48 teams, promising a series of new records and historic moments on the world football scene.
Alongside experienced goalkeeper Ochoa, legends Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are about to break a new participation record. The duo will compete in their sixth World Cup, and even with their advanced age, both arrive at the championship with great prominence and expectations from the fans.
A recent survey, carried out by Forbes magazine, shows that Messi, at 39, and Cristiano Ronaldo, at 41, are still among the highest paid athletes globally. This finding highlights the remarkable longevity and continuous impact of their careers in sports and the advertising market, consolidating them as icons even after decades of professionalism.
Impressive numbers: Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo dominate the revenue rankings before the World Cup
It is important to note that, according to the research, which analyzed the twelve months leading up to the biggest football tournament on the planet, Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi were the athletes with the highest income. This persistence at the top of the financial ladder, even at more advanced stages of their careers, demonstrates the strength of their personal brands and the global attraction they still have.
The leadership of the ranking belongs to the Portuguese player. Cristiano Ronaldo accumulated revenue of approximately US$300 million, equivalent to around R$1.5 billion. In the same period, Messi earned US$140 million, approximately R$700 million, according to data from the specialized publication.
In addition to having surpassed the Argentine in the number of games and goals scored in that period, Cristiano Ronaldo also stands out with a higher financial collection. Completing the list of the five athletes with the highest earnings are Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland and Vini Júnior.
Potential path for the highly anticipated clash between Portugal and Argentina at the World Cup
Although the clash between the teams of Portugal and Argentina, led by these stars, has never happened in previous editions of the World Cups, the current edition offers good chances for this to happen. For this duel to take place, both teams need to advance to the knockout phase, maintaining their corresponding positions in the respective brackets, that is, qualifying in first or second place.