Key Takeaways

Footballers treat watches as investments — and their collections are worth more than most people's retirement funds.
Ronaldo owns a custom Franck Muller worth $1.8M with over 400 diamonds — he wears it to training.
Messi's Patek Philippe collection alone is estimated at over $5 million.
A Rolex is considered 'entry level' in footballer watch circles — the real flex is limited-edition Richard Milles.
Some of these watches appreciate faster than the stock market — footballer watch collecting is serious business.

Footballers don't just wear watches — they wear statements. On the wrist of an elite player, a watch is a flex, an investment, and sometimes a 'I scored a hat-trick so I bought myself something shiny' trophy all rolled into one. And the numbers? Staggering. We're not talking about a nice Rolex. We're talking about custom pieces that cost more than most people's homes, limited editions that only 10 people on Earth own, and diamond-encrusted monsters that require their own insurance policy. Here are the 10 most insane watches in football — and the players who had the money (and the nerve) to wear them.

Cristiano Ronaldo — Franck Muller Cintrée Tourbillon ($1.8M)

The king of wrist flexing. Ronaldo's custom Franck Muller features over 400 diamonds, a tourbillon movement visible through the dial, and a price tag that could buy a small island. He's been photographed wearing it to training. To TRAINING. The watch is so encrusted with gems you can probably see it from space. Rumor has it he owns at least five watches over $1 million. The man treats a Bugatti like a Honda Civic and a Franck Muller like a Casio.
Lionel Messi — Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711/1A-018 Tiffany Blue ($2.5M at Auction)

Messi doesn't flex. He just... owns. His Patek Philippe collection is legendary, but the crown jewel is the Tiffany Blue Nautilus — only 170 were ever made. The retail price was $52,000. The secondary market value is now $2.5 MILLION. Messi reportedly owns multiple Pateks including a Grandmaster Chime (the most complicated wristwatch Patek has ever made). Quiet wealth. Understated. The watch equivalent of scoring a hat-trick without celebrating.
Neymar Jr. — Richard Mille RM 56-02 Sapphire ($2M+)

Neymar's Richard Mille is made almost entirely of sapphire crystal — the case, the baseplate, the bridges. It took over 3,000 hours to make. It's basically indestructible unless you drop it, in which case you've just shattered $2 million. Neymar owns multiple Richard Milles — he's basically the brand's unofficial ambassador. His collection is estimated at over $10 million. For a guy who earns in a week what a CEO earns in a year, a $2M watch is basically a souvenir.
Karim Benzema — Richard Mille RM 055 Bubba Watson ($800K)

Benzema's RM 055 is a white-ceramic masterpiece designed for a professional golfer but adopted by footballers who want to look like they just stepped off a yacht. The white-on-white design is aggressively luxurious. It weighs almost nothing. Benzema reportedly bought it after winning the Ballon d'Or — treating yourself to an $800K watch after winning football's biggest individual prize feels appropriately dramatic.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic — Rolex Cosmograph Daytona "Eye of the Tiger" ($120K)

Zlatan being Zlatan, he doesn't go for the flashiest watch — he goes for the most Zlatan watch. The "Eye of the Tiger" Daytona features a tiger-stripe bezel and diamond indices. It's aggressive. It's unique. It announces itself. Much like Zlatan himself. Reportedly, when asked about his watch collection, Zlatan said "I don't collect watches. Watches collect me." He would.

Footballer Watch Hierarchy — What Your Wrist Says About You

Entry Level: Rolex Submariner (€12K) — "I've made it... to the reserves"
Starter Collection: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak (€50K+) — "I'm in the starting XI"
Serious Player: Patek Philippe Nautilus (€100K+) — "I've won a league title"
Elite Tier: Richard Mille (€500K+) — "I'm the star player and I know it"
God Tier: Custom diamond-encrusted anything (€1M+) — "I am inevitable"

The watch game in football is a parallel economy. These pieces aren't just accessories — they're appreciating assets. Some of the limited-edition watches on this list have tripled in value since purchase. For players making $20M+ a year, dropping $500K on a Richard Mille isn't spending — it's investing. And honestly? It's more responsible than buying a fifth Lamborghini.

Captivating aerial shot of Estadio Akron in Zapopan, Mexico during sunset.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most expensive watch owned by a footballer?

Cristiano Ronaldo's custom Franck Muller Cintrée Tourbillon, valued at approximately $1.8 million, is among the most expensive footballer watches. It features over 400 diamonds and a tourbillon movement. Rumor has it he owns multiple watches over $1M.

What watches does Lionel Messi collect?

Messi is known primarily as a Patek Philippe collector. His most valuable piece is the Tiffany Blue Nautilus 5711/1A-018, which has a secondary market value of approximately $2.5M despite retailing at $52,000. He also reportedly owns a Grandmaster Chime.

Why do footballers love Richard Mille watches?

Richard Mille watches are lightweight, durable enough for sports (players have worn them during matches), and their extreme price point ($500K-$2M+) serves as an ultimate status symbol. The brand has become THE footballer watch — a modern flex that makes Rolex look like a starter brand.

Do footballer watches hold their value?

Many do — and some appreciate dramatically. Limited edition watches from brands like Patek Philippe, Richard Mille, and certain Rolex models can double or triple in value on the secondary market. For elite players, watches are both a fashion statement and an investment portfolio.

Which footballer has the largest watch collection?

Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar Jr. are believed to have the most extensive collections, each estimated at $10M+. Ronaldo owns multiples from Franck Muller, Rolex, and Jacob & Co., while Neymar is heavily invested in Richard Mille limited editions.

Key Takeaways

Cristiano Ronaldo — Franck Muller Cintrée Tourbillon ($1.8M)

Lionel Messi — Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711/1A-018 Tiffany Blue ($2.5M at Auction)

Neymar Jr. — Richard Mille RM 56-02 Sapphire ($2M+)

Karim Benzema — Richard Mille RM 055 Bubba Watson ($800K)

messi watch

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