ERLING HAALAND has been tipped to become the first footballer to earn £1BILLION.
The Manchester City star’s agent, Rafaela Pimenta, has claimed that he could generate earnings outside of his typical contract.
Haaland, 23, is already estimated to be earning a whopping £865,000 per week at the Etihad Stadium.
That is made up of his weekly salary as well as the substantial bonuses he has earned through his goalscoring feats and tournament victories.
However, his agent has suggested that this is just the beginning of the striker’s potential earnings.
Pimenta believes that Haaland could become the first footballer to earn £1billion through his image rights.
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Pimenta told The Guardian: “I’m not saying the transfer fee would reach that amount. I want to talk about the whole package that you generate throughout your career.
“Today you can play up to 35 years old. You have to think about salary, transfer fees, broadcast income, sponsors, ticket sales, jerseys. With a player like Erling, that climbs to a billion.
“Revenues in the video game industry are enormous. In the metaverse, maybe I sell a digital Erling Haaland for €2,000 (£1,741) to 100 million people in India, China, Brazil, Mexico.
“Perhaps one day we will reach the moment when we experience a football match with glasses, which will trigger the same emotions as if I were there.
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“You really go 3D with the virtual experience. So maybe we will sell the football experience, not only to broadcasters but also to individuals who can never afford or find a ticket to the Bernabeu or the Etihad.
“They can experience the game (on the metaverse) as if they were there. So when I say a billion, I’m using multipliers beyond the physical.”
Pimenta has also hailed the striker and his family’s “professionalism” and insisted that he has remained grounded.
She added: “I like dealing with the Haalands because they expect professionalism and they communicate clearly.
“It doesn’t matter if you are a man or a woman. They listen to you. It’s very refreshing.
“He is incredible and has his feet on the ground. He is very aware of who he is and what he represents. He has no illusions.
“I have never seen in him these negative changes that fame and fortune bring.
“He’s only 23, but he’s so mature, so deep, so calm… and he loves to eat!”
Haaland has already secured a string of commercial deals that make him one of the game’s most lucrative stars.
Man City
Haaland is paid handsomely by Manchester City.
He receives a basic salary of close to £400,000 a week, in line with other stars at the club, but performance bonuses that more than double it to £865,000 a week.
Samsung Norway
In his homeland, the Norwegian branch of Samsung made Haaland the face of their phones in 2021.
It’s not known if he still has a deal with Samsung – but that was reportedly worth £2million.
Breitling
Last year, the luxury Swiss watchmaker added Haaland to their list of ambassadors.
He joins A-listers Brad Pitt, Charlize Theron, and Adam Driver – who all rep the brand.
It is believed Haaland was paid around £1million for the privilege.
Hyperice
Through the years, sports stars have been using tools to aid recovery, which Hyperice provide.
Their most prominent product, the NormaTec uses dynamic air compression to create a restorative massage to users.
Looking like Michelin Man-style trousers, Haaland and many more are devoted to them after match days.
Haaland loves their products so much, not only is he an ambassador, he also has equity in the business that’s now worth a staggering £560million.
Viaplay
Also last year, Haaland inked a deal with Viaplay – lining up alongside Max Verstappen, another ambassador for the Norwegian streaming service.
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With Viaplay holding Premier League rights in his homeland, it made sense for both parties when Haaland made the move to our shores.
Immediately, they produced the documentary Haaland: The Big Decision that chronicled his move to City.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
