The 27-year-old winger is frequently dubbed the richest football player on the planet. However, his staggering net worth is entirely unrelated to his football career.
Faiq is the nephew of Hassanal Bolkiah, the Sultan of Brunei. This makes him one of the heirs to Hassanal’s fortune, which is estimated at US$30 billion, according to The Economic Times.
Brunei is a nation rich in oil and gas resources, with a significant portion of its economy controlled by the royal family. Since the family’s collective fortune is estimated to be in the tens of billions of dollars, Faiq’s name consistently tops the rankings of the world’s wealthiest athletes.
Faiq Bolkiah outside the pitch. Photo by Instagram/@fjefrib |
However, while his individual wealth is still comfortably estimated in the tens of millions, it is far removed from the “football billionaire” image that many fans mistakenly project onto him based on his royal lineage.
What makes Faiq’s story compelling is his genuine passion for football and dedication to a professional career. From a young age, he moved to England for formal football training.
After playing youth football for AFC Newbury, Faiq signed a one-year deal with Southampton’s youth academy in 2009. Unable to secure a full-time contract there, he went on trial with Arsenal in 2013. Representing the Gunners in the Lion City Cup, Faiq made his mark by scoring against a Singapore youth selection.
Chelsea quickly swooped in and offered him a two-year deal in 2014. However, his time at Stamford Bridge was brief, and he departed in December 2015 to sign a three-year contract with Leicester City, The Sun reported.
Although Faiq ultimately did not break into a Premier League first team, his journey through the English football system demonstrated a great desire to be recognized as a legitimate footballer, rather than just a royalty who enjoys playing the sport recreationally.
After his time in England, Faiq sought professional first-team opportunities elsewhere. In 2020, he signed with Maritimo in Portugal before eventually moving to the Thai League 1, where he played for Chonburi FC and currently features for Ratchaburi FC.
Despite not reaching the heights of a global superstar, Faiq has maintained a solid professional career in Southeast Asia. He demonstrated resilience by returning to the pitch for Ratchaburi after spending nearly a year sidelined with a severe leg fracture sustained in early 2024.
Alongside his club duties, he also represents the Brunei national team.
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Faiq Bolkiah is best-known for his stint with Leicester City. Photo by Instagram/@fjefrib |
Faiq’s income from football is quite modest when compared to the average salaries in Europe’s top leagues. His highest disclosed football salary during his career is around $8,000 to $10,000 per week. In European football, this aligns with the earnings of players in mid-table or lower-division clubs.
However, this income is fairly standard for top-tier Southeast Asian footballers. In the Thai League or Vietnam’s V.League, marquee players can expect to earn tens of thousands of dollars per month, excluding performance bonuses and signing fees. Currently, Faiq earns about $3,000 per month, according to Daily Express.
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