Martin Braithwaite Has Gone From Middlesbrough Flop To The Richest Player At Barcelona

Martin Braithwaite is the richest player at Barcelona after making millions from a number of business ventures outside of football.

The Denmark international was a surprise signing for the Blaugrana in February 2020 after they activated his €18 million release clause to bring him in from Leganes as an emergency signing.

He had previously flopped in the Championship with Middlesbrough, scoring just nine goals in 40 games.

Braithwaite reportedly earns €4 million-per-year at the Nou Camp but that is far from the striker's main income.

In 2020, Forbes claimed that Braithwaite has made big bucks from various investments and was only behind captain and talisman Lionel Messi when it came to overall earnings.

In 2017, Braithwaite he invested $850,000 in a real estate business and partnered with his uncle, Philip Michael .

Together they own real estate that is worth €250 million and are prolific in the New York, Philadelphia, Jersey City and San Antonio areas.

The company's website, nyce.co, says they have $300 million in assets under management.

What's more, Braithwaite has a clothing business called 'Trente' with his Anne-Laure Louis, a French entrepreneur, journalist and TV personality.

And he also has a restaurant named 'Gave' in Barcelona, which also gives him another bit of cash in his pocket.

Messi's shock departure to Paris Saint-Germain on a free last summer meant Braithwaite, on around €77,000-a-week, became Barca's biggest earner in a different way and the 31-year-old wants to use his platform to help increase the number of millionaires amongst the black community in the United States.

"We want to teach people about financial freedom and the power that they possess," he said on a Yahoo Finance chanel panel, as per The Irish Times.

"We have so many things that we want to do and always with the mindset to give back."

Braithwaite is of Guyanese descent through his father but believes he has an American way of thinking that has spurred him on to be successful.

Speaking to The Philadelphia Inquirer, he explained: "I always had this American side, and I think maybe that's why my mindset is maybe more American: dreaming big, doing amazing things, writing goals down.

"In Denmark, we have an amazing system protecting the people. Everyone is good. No one needs anything. In America, it's not really the same thing."

Braithwaite, who has played 58 times and scored 10 goals for Barca, is said to be available for around €8 million.

Premier League side Brentford have been linked, as have sides from the MLS and Middle East - although Brentford is said to be keen to on staying put.