While Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are some of the best-paid footballers in the world, along with having big deals with their brands, Neymar's deal with Puma is worth the most. Neymar had a Nike deal for a long time during his career, but since he made the switch to Puma, the deal is reportedly worth around $28.8 million a year. Neymar and Nike have been together since the Brazilian was 13, but now, with this new deal, he overtakes the likes of Ronaldo and Messi with their respective brands. Neymar has become the face of Puma like Ronaldo is the face of Nike, and Messi is the face of Adidas.
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Ronaldo reportedly earns $24 million a year from his deal with Nike, and in 2016, the American brand awarded the Portuguese star a lifetime deal. While his yearly earnings aren't as much as Neymar's, the lifetime deal will guarantee him $1 billion from it. Ronaldo and Nike have been together since 2003 when he first joined Manchester United.
Messi regularly earns around $25 million a year through his deal with Adidas. The Argentine star has been with the German brand since 2006, and in 2017, he also signed a lifetime contract with the company. Messi plays with Inter Miami in the MLS, which Adidas sponsors and the deal has made him more money. Many questioned why Messi would earn a salary over $20 million when he had higher offers from Saudi Arabia. The deal with Inter Miami allows Messi to buy a stake in Inter Miami.
What is next for Neymar, Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo?
Messi and Inter Miami will play the New York Red Bulls on Saturday in the MLS at the Chase Stadium. Inter Miami are first in the Eastern Conference with 21 points after 11 matches. Although Neymar is not fit to play, his Al Hilal team and Ronaldo's Al Nassr will face each either two more times this season. The two teams will play in the King's Cup final and in the Saudi Pro League. Al Hilal has defeated Al Nassr two times this season in the Saudi Super Cup and in the league.
