What types of football are there and how do they differ: a detailed overview

The world of football is not just about powerful shots, precise passes, and incredible goals. It is also steeped in the huge amounts of money that revolve around each professional footballer. Footballers’ salaries are one of the most talked about topics, and it’s no wonder, as the figures often look fantastic. Today, let’s understand what exactly influences players’ earnings, why the amounts vary, and how they are made up.

Factors that affect footballers’ salaries

The figures are influenced by many factors, from the level of play to the marketing value of the athlete. Let’s understand in detail what determines income.

Skills and level of play

World-class footballers earn high salaries because they have unique skills. The technical skills of Lionel Messi, the speed and stamina of Kylian Mbappe, the strategic intelligence of Kevin De Bruyne, or the leadership qualities of Sergio Ramos make them irreplaceable in a team.

A footballer’s income depends not only on his physical abilities, but also on his decision-making skills on the pitch, his discipline, and his ability to interact with his teammates. The higher the level of ability and contribution to the team, the more the club is willing to pay. Details such as participation in international tournaments, experience in important matches, and personal achievements, including individual honours (Golden Ball), are also taken into account.

Popularity and marketing value

Many athletes are paid impressive sums not only for their performances on the pitch, but also because of their popularity. Cristiano Ronaldo is not only a football star, but also the face of many advertising campaigns. The footballer’s fees include not only his salary at the club, but also income from contracts with major brands such as Nike and Coca-Cola. In 2023, his advertising dividends amount to around R4.4 billion, which is more than his salary at Al Nasr. The marketing value can exceed the total revenue many times over.

Region and league

It is no secret that the salaries of footballers in Europe are significantly higher than in other parts of the world. Players in the English Premier League or La Liga earn significantly more than their counterparts in the Russian league. This is due to:

1. The clubs’ high revenues from the sale of TV rights, tickets and fan merchandise with symbols.
2. Extensive sponsorship agreements with global brands.
3. A large and active audience that ensures a constant demand for matches and advertising.
4. A further developed club infrastructure and support from investors.
5. The tax system, which also has an impact on footballers’ salaries, as it is more complex to calculate and requires special tax optimisation.

Salaries of footballers in Russia and Europe

The salaries of footballers in Russia vary greatly depending on the level of the team and the region. For example, players from top clubs such as Zenit or Spartak receive amounts comparable to those in Europe. Most Russian clubs have much lower incomes due to more modest sponsorship opportunities. Main influencing factors:

1. Team level. Players from top clubs earn significantly more than players from lesser-known teams. This is due to the larger budgets and support from sponsors. The salaries of Zenit’s top players can reach 350 to 400 million roubles per year. Serdar Azmoun received about 320 million per year in 2023, including bonuses.
2. Regional differences. The amounts also depend on the region. Clubs from Moscow and St. Petersburg can offer higher amounts than clubs from the regions due to more sponsors and a more developed infrastructure.
3. A player’s contribution to the team. Take Artyom Dzyuba, for example. The footballer’s salary was around 300 million roubles a year, making him one of the highest-paid players in Russia.
4. Popularity and demand. This is especially true for athletes who take part in international matches. Popular players can receive additional bonuses of up to 50 million roubles per year.
5. Sponsorship and advertising revenue. The more opportunities to attract sponsors and advertising contracts, the higher the salary.

Comparison with European salaries

Players in European leagues are not only paid better, but also have more opportunities to increase their income thanks to bonuses and advertising contracts. Gareth Bale’s annual salary at Real Madrid was over 3 billion roubles, while the average salary of a player in the Russian Premier League rarely exceeds 150-200 million. Kylian Mbappe’s contract at Paris Saint-Germain provides for a salary of 2 billion roubles per year until 2023 and performance bonuses of up to 500 million roubles.

How is a footballer’s salary calculated?

A footballer’s salary is made up of several components that make up the total income:

1. The salary is a basic amount that is paid monthly. This is a guaranteed income that the player receives regardless of results.
2. Performance bonuses – additional payments for goals scored, assists and successful matches.
3. Income from advertising – contracts with brand companies can bring in several billion roubles a year.

The highest paid footballers in the world

Let’s take a look at the top 3 highest paid footballers in the world and see what they get paid for:

1. Lionel Messi – his income is more than 12 billion roubles a year, including his salary at Inter Miami and advertising money.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo – about 11.5 billion roubles a year. Ronaldo is a brand that generates huge revenues not only on the pitch, but also off it.
3. Neymar – his salary at Paris Saint-Germain is over 9 billion roubles a year, including bonuses and advertising contracts.

Conclusion

Footballers’ salaries depend on many factors: from their ability and popularity to the country and league in which they play. Highly paid athletes are often not only football stars, but also important figures in advertising campaigns, which increases their income many times over. It might be worth thinking about how exactly these factors can be transferred to other professions to increase their income and success.

A theatre in which drama, triumph, and tragedy intermingle on the green pitch, creating unforgettable moments that are engraved in the hearts of millions. The best games of football are stories of heroism, perseverance, and incredible passion. Today we take a look at some of the most legendary events that changed the course of history and left spectators swooning.

How a single game can change everything

Passions run high and results are decided in a matter of seconds: some games have become legends thanks to their unpredictable outcome and the tenacity of teams unwilling to give up until the end. Let’s remember two legendary football matches:

1. Manchester United v Bayern Munich, the 1999 Champions League final – a match that can be described in one word: Miracle. Bayern were confident of victory until the 90th minute, but two goals from Manchester United in the final minute changed everything. The game became a symbol of perseverance and belief to the end – the best games in football are just as memorable.
2. Liverpool v Milan, the 2005 Champions League final – the famous final known as the ‘Miracle of Istanbul’. Liverpool were 3-0 down after the first half, but fought their way back into the game and eventually won on penalties. It was an evening when the football gods decided to give perseverance and faith a chance. It’s not just the goals, it’s the emotions that keep us thinking about these unique moments.

The most dramatic finals in football: last-second shots

Championship finals are always full of tension, but sometimes it’s the final seconds that decide the fate of the title:

1. Spain v Netherlands, 2010 World Cup final – the match in which Spain won thanks to a goal from Andres Iniesta in extra time. Iniesta’s goal symbolised the greatness of the Spanish national team and gave the country its first ever World Cup title. This moment was the crowning glory of the tournament, in which every episode was characterised by the fight and perseverance of both teams. This is a story that shows how a single moment can change the outcome.
2. Manchester City v Queens Park Rangers, 2012, was one of the most thrilling matches in Premier League history. In the 93rd minute, Sergio Agüero scored the decisive goal that gave Manchester City the championship. The epitome of drama that can only be found on a football pitch.

The most beautiful goals in football history: one touch, a million emotions

Some shots on goal go down in history, not only for their accuracy, but also for their incredible beauty. Let’s remember two cases in which a single touch of the ball caused a storm of emotion not only among the athletes but also among the fans:

1. Argentina v England, 1986 World Cup – Diego Maradona’s shot, known as the ‘goal of the century’. This moment came to symbolise skill and pure passion as Maradona ran halfway across the pitch, dodging several defenders and showing not only technical skill but also incredible stamina. The goal thrilled millions of fans around the world and was one of the most impressive examples of how a player can single-handedly change the course of a competition.
2. Real Madrid v Bayer Leverkusen, Champions League final 2002 – Zinedine Zidane scored one of the most beautiful goals of all time with a bicycle kick. This moment was a true example of how football is not just a sport, but also an art.

Top 10 best football matches that are worth watching again

There are matches that you want to watch again and again. They surprise, inspire and arouse endless emotions:

1. Brazil v Italy, 1970 World Cup final – the best example of a brilliant encounter that made the Brazilian national team a winner and Pelé a legend. The match was a demonstration of supreme skill and technique in which the Brazilian team gave their opponents no chance. Pelé, one of the leaders of the team, not only scored a goal, but also inspired his team-mates with a brilliant performance that immortalised this final in history.
2. France v Argentina, 2018 World Cup – a match with an impressive attacking performance in which Mbappe showed the world that the future of football is in safe hands. France and Argentina offered spectators a spectacle full of thrilling moments and attacks that kept everyone on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.
3. Barcelona v PSG, 2017 – Barcelona’s historic comeback from 4-0 down to win 6-1 when nobody believed a miracle would happen, but it did. It was one of the greatest comebacks in history, in which Barcelona showed not only skill but also an incredible will to win.
4. Germany vs Brazil, World Cup semi-final 2014 – the match that ended with a 7:1 victory for Brazil was a real shock for all fans. The German team showed absolute dominance, leaving the hosts of the tournament baffled and writing their name in the annals.
5. Chelsea v Bayern Munich, 2012 Champions League final – Chelsea’s dramatic penalty shoot-out victory earned the club their first ever Champions League title. The match took place in Munich, FC Bayern’s home stadium, and Chelsea’s victory in front of this crowd was a great achievement for the London club.
6. Italy v France, 2006 World Cup final – a contest with the episode when Zinedine Zidane hit Materazzi and the subsequent decisive penalty. The kick was not only the final of the football tournament, but also a symbol of the emotional tension and drama that can prevail on the pitch.
7. Arsenal v Liverpool, 1989 – the final preliminary round match in which Arsenal scored the decisive goal in the final minutes to become English champions. This moment went down in history as one of the most thrilling finals and showed how determination in the final seconds can change everything.
8. Milan v Barcelona, Champions League final 1994 – Milan’s dominant 4-0 victory that went down in history as one of football’s greatest finals. Milan played a brilliant combination game, completely outplayed their opponents and showed exceptional skill.
9. Portugal v France, Euro 2016 final – Portugal’s unexpected victory without Cristiano Ronaldo, who had to leave the pitch through injury. Despite the loss of their leader, Portugal showed incredible resilience and won thanks to the efforts of the whole team, with the decisive goal scored by Eder in extra time.
10. Netherlands v Argentina, 1998 World Cup – Dennis Bergkamp’s goal in the final minutes that became a true symbol of elegance. The goal was not only the result of a marvellous pass from Frank de Boer, but also a masterful first touch from Bergkamp that allowed him to outwit a defender. This moment has remained in the hearts of fans forever and shows how precision and composure can transform an exciting game into the highest art of football.

Conclusion

The best football matches teach us that we should never give up and that emotions on the pitch can change the lives of millions of people. No matter how many years have passed since these encounters, they remain vivid in our memories. Perhaps now is the time to relive those games to feel the passion and inspiration that the best players and fans in the world once experienced.