With Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi topping the Forbes list for the richest athletes in the world in 2023, a European football icon has now insisted he "would earn more money" than the two superstars if he was still playing.
In March, Forbes published a list of the world's 10 highest-paid athletes in 2023, with the index topped by Ronaldo, while Messi occupied second spot ahead of the likes of Paris Saint-Germain teammate Kylian Mbappe and American basketball player LeBron James.
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The Portuguese striker joined Al Nassr in late December, in a move worth a reported €200 million (R4.1 billion), including his salary and commercial deals.
The lucrative transfer sees him punch above his long-term rival, despite the Argentina captain winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup that same month in Qatar.
Per Forbes , the chart-topping 38-year-old has $136 million (R2.59 billion) in guaranteed earnings, with $46 million (R877 million) coming from his on-field exploits, while the other $90 million (R1.7 billion) is from his endorsement deals.
Messi, meanwhile, was just behind him with an income of $130 million (R2.48 billion), which is equally split between his commercial partnerships and salaries.
However, despite the two superstars' soaring riches, former Italy striker Christian Veiri has now insisted he would be grossing more income than the former LaLiga duo if he was still playing professionally, according to Portuguese newspaper Record.
Speaking at the Milan Football Week, the 49-year-old said: "I'm nice, even one of the nicest players in Europe, if not the nicest.
"If there were social networks when I played, I would earn more than Messi and Ronaldo.
"I would make 300 or 400 million a year."
With his contract at Paris Saint-Germain set expire next month, Messi's fortune could receive a gigantic boost should he join Saudi Arabian giants Al Hilal, who have reportedly offered him an unprecedented €400 million (R8.2 billion) a season to make the switch to the Middle East.
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It remains to be seen if he will accept that proposal, however, with FC Barcelona and Inter Miami also believed to be in the race for his signature.
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