Cristiano Ronaldo may be football's first billionaire, but his vast wealth is utterly eclipsed by the sport's true richest player – a former Chelsea academy star who is heir to a royal fortune.
The Billionaire Who Isn't The Richest
In 2025, Cristiano Ronaldo made history by becoming the first active footballer to reach billionaire status. His colossal contract with Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr, first signed in 2023 at £173 million per year, was extended in a deal set to earn him £492 million over two years. According to Bloomberg, his net worth hit $1.4 billion (£1.045bn) in October 2025.
Yet, these staggering figures are dwarfed by the wealth of Faiq Bolkiah, a 27-year-old winger currently playing for Ratchaburi FC in Thailand. Bolkiah is reported to possess a personal fortune of approximately £16 billion.
The Royal Footballer With A Humble Dream
Faiq Bolkiah's extraordinary wealth stems from his birthright. He is the nephew of Hassanal Bolkiah, the Sultan of Brunei, and is one of several heirs to the royal family's estimated £200 billion fortune. Despite this, he pursued a career in professional football driven by pure passion.
Born in Los Angeles and holding both American and Bruneian citizenship, Bolkiah grew up in England. His football journey began with Newbury before he progressed through the youth systems of Southampton, Chelsea, and Leicester City. At Chelsea's academy, he rubbed shoulders with future stars like Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Tammy Abraham.
A Professional Journey Far From The Spotlight
Despite his privileged background, Bolkiah's path to senior football was challenging. He never made a first-team appearance in England. In 2020, he moved to Portuguese club Maritimo to sign his first professional contract but featured only once for their under-23 side.
His career found more traction in Thailand. He joined Chonburi FC, making 32 appearances and contributing two goals and four assists. In 2023, he transferred to Ratchaburi FC, a club that has competed in the Asian Champions League.
Former Chelsea academy teammate Ruben Sammut recalled Bolkiah's dedication, telling The Athletic: "He was a humble guy, trying every day like every academy player. We used to joke he didn’t need to play football but he wanted to play because he loved football."
Bolkiah's education also connects him to another sport; he attended the prestigious £58,000-per-year Bradfield College in Berkshire, where England cricketer Gus Atkinson was also a pupil.
While Cristiano Ronaldo's earnings and business acumen have redefined athlete wealth, the title of football's richest individual rests not with a global icon, but with a royal heir who chose to chase his dream on the pitch, far from the glittering stadiums of Europe's top leagues.
