David Alaba is one of the most versatile and accomplished defenders in modern football.
Known for his technical skills, adaptability, and leadership on the field, Alaba has made a name for himself at both Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.
In this article, you will learn about David Alaba’s net worth, salary, career earnings, contract, stats, wife, career overview, and more.
David Alaba’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | David Olatukunbo Alaba |
| Nickname | The Austrian Messi |
| Born | June 24, 1992 |
| Age | 31 |
| College | N/A (Professional footballer from youth) |
| Religion | 7th-day Adventist |
| Net Worth | Approximately $20 million |
| Salary | €22,500,000 per year |
| Relationship Status | Engaged |
| Partner | Shalimar Heppner |
| Instagram Profile | @davidalaba (15.2M Followers) |
Early Career
David Alaba’s journey in football began at SV Aspern, a local club in Vienna. At age 10, he joined the youth academy of FK Austria Wien, where his talent quickly became apparent.
In 2008, Alaba caught the attention of Bayern Munich scouts and made the move to Germany.
His performances in the youth teams earned him a spot in Bayern’s reserve team in 2009, marking the beginning of his professional career.
Professional Career
Alaba’s professional career took off at Bayern Munich, where he became a key player in one of Europe’s most dominant teams.
He made his first-team debut in 2010 and quickly established himself as a regular starter.
During his time at Bayern, he won an impressive 10 Bundesliga titles and 2 UEFA Champions League trophies.
At Real Madrid, Alaba helped the team secure the La Liga title and another Champions League trophy in his debut season.
Girlfriend
David Alaba is engaged to Shalimar Heppner, a model and public relations agent. The couple has been together for several years but keeps their relationship relatively private.
Shalimar, born on September 15, 1994, in Munich, Germany, is the daughter of Frank Heppner, a well-known chef.
David Alaba’s Net Worth Details
David Alaba’s net worth is estimated to be $20 million as of 2025.
Contract
Alaba’s current contract with Real Madrid runs until June 30, 2026. He signed this 5-year deal when joining the club in 2021.
The contract is reportedly worth €115 million in total, with Alaba earning around €22.5 million per year. This makes him one of the highest-paid defenders in world football.
The contract also included a significant signing bonus of €17.7 million when he joined Real Madrid on a free transfer from Bayern Munich.
He signed a 5-year contract with the Spanish giants, taking on the prestigious number 4 shirt previously worn by Sergio Ramos.
Career Earnings
| Year | Club | Salary (Per Year) |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Real Madrid | €22,500,000 |
| 2023 | Real Madrid | €22,000,000 |
| 2022 | Real Madrid | €21,500,000 |
| 2021 | Real Madrid | €21,000,000 |
| 2020 | Bayern Munich | €15,000,000 |
| 2019 | Bayern Munich | €14,500,000 |
| 2018 | Bayern Munich | €14,000,000 |
| 2017 | Bayern Munich | €13,500,000 |
| 2016 | Bayern Munich | €8,000,000 |
Endorsements
David Alaba has secured several lucrative endorsement deals throughout his career, including:
- Adidas: Long-term partnership for football boots and apparel.
- Beats by Dre: Featured in promotional campaigns for headphones.
- EA Sports: Appeared on the cover of FIFA 15 and FIFA 16 in Austria.
- Siemens: Brand ambassador for various campaigns.
- Red Bull: Endorsement deal with the energy drink company.
Career Stats
| Opponent | Matches Played | Wins | Draws | Losses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marco Reus | 24 | 12 | 4 | 8 |
| Sven Bender | 24 | 14 | 3 | 7 |
| Marcel Schmelzer | 22 | 10 | 3 | 9 |
| Lukasz Piszczek | 20 | 10 | 2 | 8 |
| Mats Hummels | 20 | 15 | 2 | 3 |
FAQs
1. Who is David Alaba?
David Alaba is an Austrian professional footballer born on June 24, 1992, in Vienna. He plays as a defender for Real Madrid and captains the Austria national team. Known for his versatility, Alaba has won numerous titles, including Champions League trophies with Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.
2. What are David Alaba’s career achievements?
Alaba has won over 30 major trophies, including 10 Bundesliga titles, 4 UEFA Champions League titles, and multiple domestic cups. Individually, he has been named Austrian Footballer of the Year ten times and was included in the UEFA Team of the Year three times.
3. What is David Alaba’s playing style?
Alaba is known for his versatility, technical skills, and tactical intelligence. He can play as a center-back, left-back, or midfielder. His ability to contribute defensively and offensively makes him one of the most adaptable players in football.
4. What is David Alaba’s background?
David Alaba was born to a Nigerian father and a Filipino mother. His multicultural upbringing in Vienna shaped his values of hard work and community. His father was Austria’s first Black soldier in the army, and his mother worked as a nurse.
5. Which clubs has David Alaba played for?
Alaba began his career at Austria Wien before joining Bayern Munich’s youth system in 2008. He played for Bayern’s senior team from 2010 to 2021, with a loan spell at Hoffenheim in 2011. In 2021, he joined Real Madrid on a free transfer.
6. How has David Alaba performed internationally?
Alaba debuted for Austria’s senior team in 2009 at just 17 years old. He has earned over 100 caps and captained Austria during UEFA Euro 2020, where they reached the knockout stages for the first time in their history.
7. What injuries has David Alaba faced recently?
In December 2023, Alaba suffered a torn ACL during a La Liga match with Villarreal. This injury required surgery and kept him sidelined for over a year. He returned to action in January 2025 after extensive recovery.
8. What is David Alaba’s role at Real Madrid?
Since joining Real Madrid in 2021, Alaba has been a key defensive player. He inherited the iconic number 4 jersey from Sergio Ramos and helped the club win multiple titles, including two Champions League trophies and La Liga championships.
9. Does David Alaba have any family connections to sports or entertainment?
David’s sister, Rose May Alaba, is a singer and songwriter. His father, George Alaba, is also involved in music as a DJ and was previously an army officer.
10. What makes David Alaba unique off the pitch?
Alaba is deeply connected to his multicultural roots and values family and community heavily. He often credits his parents’ hard work for inspiring his success and remains committed to giving back through leadership roles on and off the field.
