Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Jr embody the elite of world football and are Real Madrid’s two biggest stars. One is a global icon, the other an exceptional talent, recently voted the world’s best footballer by FIFA, and continues to shine. But when you compare their wealth, which one really dominates?
Kylian Mbappé is not just an exceptional player. Real Madrid’s number 9 is also an income-generating machine. When he joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2017, the Bondy native immediately became one of the most expensive players in history, with an estimated transfer fee of €180 million. His salary followed the same trajectory. In 2022, Mbappé signed a new astronomical contract with PSG, including a signing bonus of €100 million and an annual salary of €72 million. This sum guaranteed him a place among the highest-paid sportsmen and women in the world.
With his transfer to Real Madrid in 2024, the France captain is only consolidating his fortune. Logically, he earns less than at PSG, but continues to benefit from prestigious partnerships. Brands such as Nike, EA Sports and Hublot pay him nearly €20 million a year to be their ambassador. Mbappé has not neglected investments. Although he remains discreet about his financial plans, we do know that he has an impressive property portfolio in France and abroad. He is also interested in emerging technologies, further diversifying his assets. Today, Kylian Mbappé’s fortune is estimated at €167 million, a figure that reflects both his sporting success and his business acumen.
Vinícius Jr: rapid rise, but financial lag
For his part, Vinícius Jr has established himself as one of the best players at Real Madrid and in world football. Having arrived in Spain in 2018 for €45 million, the Auriverde was slow to silence the critics before bursting onto the scene. His salary has risen steadily. He currently earns around €15 million net per year, a remarkable figure for a 24-year-old. Vinícius’ commercial partnerships are also booming. Nike, his main sponsor, pays him millions every year. Other brands such as Dolce & Gabbana capitalise on his young, international image. In all, his sponsors earn him around 15 million dollars a year.
Vinícius Jr’s financial success is largely due to his entrepreneurial vision and wise management of his assets. Far from being content with his income from football, he adopts a diversified and well-considered investment strategy. A significant portion of his earnings is devoted to acquiring top-of-the-range property, buying gold, investing in the stock market and other high-value assets. This choice is not limited to preserving his wealth: he also aims to make it grow in the long term.
Spanish tabloid AS on Monday revealed the details of the contract Vinícius signed for 2022, which includes special clauses linked to his individual performances. If he wins the Ballon d’Or or The Best award, the Brazilian winger will receive a substantial pay rise. Currently estimated at an average of €15 million net per year for the duration of his contract (2022-2027), his emoluments would rise to almost €20 million net for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 seasons. That would make him Real Madrid’s highest-paid player, ahead of even Kylian Mbappé.
However, Vinícius’ financial prospects do not stop there. According to AS, a place on the Ballon d’Or or The Best Trophy podium in 2025 would also be enough to trigger another pay rise. Having arrived in 2018 from Flamengo, the Brazil international’s contract runs until 2027. With his performances steadily improving, Vinícius could use the coming months to negotiate a further pay rise. In any case, his total wealth remains lower than Mbappé’s. It is currently estimated at $55 million, or around €50 million.
Why is there such a difference in wealth between Mbappé and Vinicius jR?
The abysmal gap between the fortunes of Mbappé and Vinícius can be explained by a number of factors.
Length of time at the top
Kylian Mbappé has been in the spotlight for longer. Since 2017, he has been racking up big contracts. Vinícius, on the other hand, only began to explode in 2021.
Contract amounts
The contracts signed by Mbappé with PSG and Real Madrid are much higher than those of Vinícius. The Brazilian is still very well paid, but his salary is far from the records set by his team-mate over the last few years.
Partnerships
Mbappé is a global icon. His image extends beyond the boundaries of football. He attracts generalist brands, while Vinícius is still seen primarily as a sporting figure.
Investments
Mbappé diversifies his income with profitable investments. Vinícius, on the other hand, favours philanthropic actions, which enhance his image but do not directly increase his fortune. But the Auriverde has started with investments and it will take time before they generate profits.
The financial strategies of Real Madrid’s two stars
Kylian Mbappé is adopting a cautious but ambitious strategy. He invests in safe sectors such as real estate. His advertising earnings are reinvested in assets that guarantee a return on investment. He has also recently shown an interest in the world of business. Although few details are known, there are rumours of his involvement in technology start-ups and sports-related projects. In July 2024, Mbappé also invested in French football club SM Caen. He became the majority shareholder with an 80% stake, thus strengthening his presence in the football world beyond his playing career.
Vinícius Jr, on the other hand, has a different strategy. He invests mainly in social causes, particularly in Brazil. He supports educational programmes for young people and finances infrastructure in his native region. These initiatives enhance his public image, but generate little direct income. To date, Vinícius has been less active than Mbappé in the area of lucrative investments. In recent months, however, the Real Madrid No7 has adopted a diversified and carefully thought-out investment strategy. A significant proportion of his earnings are channelled into the purchase of luxury real estate, gold, stock market investments and other strategic assets.
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