World Cup 2014: National Team Payrolls Revealed
As the World Cup in Brazil approaches, attention is often focused on the players, tactics, and teams, but there’s also the matter of the financial side of the competition. While club payrolls are frequently discussed, national teams’ salary figures are less commonly scrutinized. However, a recent survey by Brazilian business newspaper Valor has revealed the payroll rankings for national teams competing in the 2014 World Cup.
Leading the list is Spain, with a total payroll of €486.9 million, followed closely by Argentina at €474.1 million, and Brazil at €470.2 million. These figures reflect the star power and high salaries of their squads, featuring global footballing icons like Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Germany follows in fourth place with a payroll of €445.6 million, while France comes in fifth at €398.6 million. Other countries near the top include England (€354.2 million), Belgium (€336.1 million), and Italy (€322.4 million). Portugal and Colombia round out the top ten, valued at €287 million and €223.4 million respectively.
At the other end of the spectrum, Honduras, with a relatively modest squad, sits at the bottom of the rankings, valued at just €32.3 million.
These figures highlight the financial disparity between the top footballing nations and those with smaller or emerging teams.
