Crazy Money! Wealthy Soccer Pros

It’s Crazy Money Day! 

The 2026 World Cup featured two of the wealthiest athletes in history. At age 41, Cristiano Ronaldo earns a salary of $200 million plus $65 million through endorsements. Lionel Messi, at age 38, has an annual base salary of $25 million and earns $70 million from endorsements. That’s crazy!

Their remarkable success reminds us of a truth found in Psalm 20:7: “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” There’s nothing wrong with being successful. God uses people from all walks of life! Ronaldo and Messi have earned their places among the greatest players the game has ever seen, but no amount of money, trophies, or celebrity can provide the lasting security that only God can.

Each of us puts our trust in something. Is it our career? Our retirement account? Our paycheck? Biblical stewardship isn’t about attaining wealth. It’s about recognizing the one who provides it! Money can disappear. Careers come to an end. The greatest athletes will eventually play their final match, but those who trust in the Lord have a foundation that never changes and never comes to an end. So, build your finances wisely. Work diligently, save faithfully, but never place your faith in what you own. Place it in the One who owns everything.

Now, I’m excited to invite you to join us in Knoxville, Tennessee, this September the 10th through the 12th. We want to celebrate all that God has done through Crown over the last 50 years. Register today at  crown.org/50years.