Michael Laudrup has cemented his position as one of the most iconic football players in Danish history. His career has been marked by remarkable achievements and stints at some of the world’s most prestigious clubs, which have brought him both fame and a significant fortune.

Michael Laudrup’s path to stardom began at the Danish clubs KB and Brøndby, but his talent was quickly noticed beyond the country’s borders. At just 19 years old, he transferred to the Italian club Lazio, where he played 69 matches. Later, he moved to Juventus, where he scored 36 goals in 151 matches. However, it was his time at FC Barcelona from 1989 to 1994 that truly made him a global star. With 224 matches, 54 goals, and 16 assists, he became a central figure in the Catalan club.

After five successful years in Barcelona, Laudrup made a controversial switch to arch-rival Real Madrid in 1994. Here, he played 76 matches and scored 15 goals over two years. The move to the Japanese club Vissel Kobe in 1996 marked a brief stint outside Europe before he returned to finish his career at Ajax in 1998. That same year, he also played his last matches for the Danish national team.

The salary levels in football have risen significantly since Laudrup’s active years, but even then, he was among the highest-paid players. At Real Madrid, his annual salary was estimated to be between 12 and 14 million kroner, while at Barcelona, he earned around 9 to 10 million kroner annually. These amounts were significant at the time and underscore his status as one of the most valued players of his generation.

After his active career, Michael Laudrup has managed to create a solid financial base through various business ventures. Notably, he established the wine import company Laudrup Vin with Per Kristensen Buhl. He owns half of the company through his holding company, Michael Laudrup Holding A/S, which also has investments in Falsled Kro and other companies. In 2023, his holding company had equity of 21 million kroner and equity interests in other companies valued at 44 million kroner.

Despite the impressive earnings from his active years and business projects, Michael Laudrup is not officially the most expensive Danish football player. That title belongs to Rasmus Højlund, who was sold to Manchester United for 550 million kroner. However, if you adjust the transfer fees for inflation, Laudrup’s transfer to Real Madrid in 1994 would have a current value of 909.7 million kroner, according to TotallyMoney. This would make him the most expensive Danish player ever.