Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are widely regarded as the two wealthiest active footballers, but there is another player – a South African starlet's teammate – who is claimed to be the richest footballer in the world.
Click through the gallery above to see the richest footballers in history, according to various sources.
Ronaldo recently became the first footballer to earn $1 billion from salary and endorsement deals over the 17 years of his career so far, while Messi is believed to be set to follow suit next year, according to Forbes.
The Juve forward's current worth is estimated to be $450 million (R7.6 billion), $50 million (R849 million) more than his longstanding rival.
However, there is also Faiq Bolkiah, who was introduced as the "world's richest footballer" by British media in 2018.
The 22-year-old currently plays for Leicester City's U23 side alongside SA starlet Thakgalo Leshabela.
Take part in our 2010 World Cup quiz and stand a chance to win a R200 data voucher!
Bolkiah joined the club from Chelsea's academy in 2017, but has since struggled to break into the Foxes' first team.
He is the nephew of the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, who is said to be worth a whopping $20 billion (R339 billion), according to the Daily Star.
His father, Jefri Bolkiah, the Sultan of Brunei's brother, is believed to own 2 300 cars, and apparently spends $44 million (R747 million) a month adding his fleet.
"There was some real excitement and interest when he (Faiq Bolkiah) came here," a Leicester City insider told Bleacher Report in 2018.
"There was buzz amongst the press and supporters, partly because of who he is. Within the club, though, there was an impulse to play it down. It's not something that was played up."
The hype around Faiq Bolkiah, who is a Brunei international, has calmed down, though, with the Foxes trying to keep him away from the headlines and focused on his football.
Read: 11 Footballers Who Went Broke
It remains to be seen whether or not he will make it to the first team or leave his mark on the beautiful game.
Do you think Bolkaih should be regarded as the world's richest footballer based on the wealth of his family? Have your say in the comments section below.
