![\"Faiq](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_GettyImages-2238751856.jpg\")
Faiq Bolkiah was once at Chelsea’s academy but now plays for Ratchaburi FC in Thailand(Image: Pakawich Damrongkiattisak\/Getty Images)<\/p>\nAl Nassr and Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo has earned more than anyone else during his career but he is still far from being able to claim to be the world’s richest footballerFaiq Bolkiah was once at Chelsea’s academy but now plays for Ratchaburi FC in Thailand(Image: Pakawich Damrongkiattisak\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Cristiano Ronaldo became the first footballer to become a billionaire<\/a> thanks to his sterling career earlier this year, but his wealth doesn’t come close to making him the richest player on the planet.<\/p>\n Ronaldo’s blockbuster new contract<\/a> with Al Nassr is set to see him earn \u00a3492million over a two-year period<\/a>, having first penned a record-breaking \u00a3173m-per-year deal in Saudi Arabia in 2023. The Portuguese star’s latest agreement saw him surpass the \u00a31bn mark.<\/p>\n According to Bloomberg<\/a>, Ronaldo\u2019s net worth rose to $1.4billion (\u00a31.045bn) in October. It’s perhaps no surprise the 40-year-old harbours ambitions of owning multiple clubs in the future<\/a>.<\/p>\n Even Ronaldo’s vast sums look paltry compared to one player. It’s not long-term rival Lionel Messi<\/a>, however, but instead a star few likely remember.<\/p>\n Faiq Bolkiah, who plays for Ratchaburi in Thailand, has a net worth that dwarves one of the world’s biggest football stars. Bolkiah is reported to have a massive \u00a316bn in he bank.<\/p>\n READ MORE: England coach left ‘sad and upset’ on Christmas Day after sack hours before opening presents<\/a><\/p>\n The 27-year-old is the nephew of the Sultan Brunei and one of several heirs to a \u00a3200bn fortune. Born in Los Angeles, Bolkiah began his football career with Newbury before gaining experience in the youth teams of Southampton, Chelsea and Leicester<\/a> City.<\/p>\n The left-winger moved to Maritimo in 2020, without making a senior appearance in England, and signed his first professional contract. Bolkiah was unable to break through there either, however, and played just one game for their under-23s before moving to Thailand.<\/p>\n Bolkiah joined Chonburi and featured 32 times, recording two goals and four assists in his time at the club. He then made the switch to Ratchaburi in 2023, who have competed in the Asian Champions League<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Brunei international holds both American and Bruneian citizenship, but grew up in England. Though he never made his mark in the Premier League<\/a>, he played alongside the likes of Ruben Loftus-Cheek<\/a> and Tammy Abraham<\/a> at Chelsea<\/a>.<\/p>\n Another team-mate of that era, Ruben Sammut, claims the group used to poke fun at Bolkiah’s wealth. “You would never ever have thought he was something like the 12th in line to the throne,” Sammut told The Athletic<\/a>.<\/p>\n “You would not have thought of him as royalty. He was a humble guy, trying every day like every academy player. We used to joke he didn\u2019t need to play football but he wanted to play because he loved football.<\/p>\n “It wasn\u2019t a regular thing we mentioned. It was that typical banter, saying he is royalty, saying, \u2018What\u2019s he doing playing with us?\u2019 But we all knew deep down how much he wanted to play, so it was more good-willed passing comments.”<\/p>\n Bolkiah may also be familiar with an England international cricketer<\/a>. The footballer went to \u00a358,000-per-year Bradfield College when he grew up in England<\/a>. The Berkshire private school<\/a> also saw Gus Atkinson, who is the same age as Bolkiah, come through its doors.<\/p>\n Join our new WhatsApp community<\/a> and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/p>\n Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package<\/p>\n This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/a> \u00a343<\/p>\n \u00a335<\/p>\n Sky<\/p>\n![\"Chelsea's](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1_Soccer-Under-21-Friendly-Match-Chelsea-U21-v-Burnley-U21-Cobham-Training-Ground.jpg\")
Faiq Bolkiah spent time at Chelsea in his youth(Image: Darren Walsh, Chelsea FC via Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Content](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1766691190_98_0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\")
<\/p>\n