The 10 Highest-Paid Soccer Players
Forbes has been released list of The 10 Highest-Paid Soccer Players, while still not as high as U.S. pro sports stars such Tiger Wood or Michael Jordan, soccer players earning today are getting within touching distance to the top of U.S. pro sports stars. David Beckham who always on the top list of highest earning soccer players turn down to second place, while the Barcelona soccerstar Ronaldinho turn up to the top of the list with $29.5 million earning.
Here is the list of The 10 Highest-Paid Soccer Players by Forbes :
1. Ronaldinho, Barcelona
Total Earning : $29.5 million eqv £16 million eqv €23.5 million
The impish Barcelona play-maker is not enjoying the best of seasons by his own standards. Like many of the stars of the last World Cup, a long club and international season has taken its physical toll. But he has leapfrogged David Beckham to become soccer’s top-earning player thanks to endorsement deals with Nike and the likes of consumer electronics giant Sony.
2. David Beckham, Real Madrid
Total Earning : $29.1 million eqv £15.8 million eqv €23.2 million
No one can shift soccer merchandise like Beckham. He did it for Manchester United during his pomp and for Real Madrid over the past four years, where he won over the fans if not the critics. Now coming to America on the back of a potential $250 million marketing and playing deal with the Los Angeles Galaxy, he has proved he has the marketing savvy to put him in the elite of sports commercial superstars who outlast their playing days.
3. Ronaldo, AC Milan
Total Earning : $23.4 million eqv £12.7 million eqv €18.6 million
Injury has reduced the buck-toothed Brazilian striker to a super-sized shadow of the player who is one of only two people to be named FIFA’s World Footballer of the Year three times. Offloaded by Real Madrid in a clear-out of its galacticos to AC Milan, Ronaldo seems destined for America, where his playboy lifestyle will sustain marketing appeal that is going nowhere in Europe.
4. Wayne Rooney, Manchester United
Total Earning : $17.2 million eqv £9.3 million eqv €13.7 million
The epitome of the sports star who wears his brains in his boots, Rooney’s on-field goal-scoring partnership this season with Cristiano Ronaldo, cemented by Paul Scholes’ Indian summer, has made Manchester United the English Premiership’s unexpected top dogs. The barely 20-something’s commercial challenge is to turn raw soccer talent into polished marketing power.
5. Michael Ballack, Chelsea
Total Earning : $16.8 million eqv £9.1 million eqv €13.4 million
The switch from being Bayern Munich’s superstar to just another highly paid midfielder in Chelsea’s glittering firmament of world-class stars has proved a challenge for the German on the pitch. But not when it comes to his bank account. Chelsea is reported to pay him a base salary of $240,000 (£121,000) a week, which would make him–for now–the top-paid player in the game.
6. Thierry Henry, Arsenal
Total Earning : $15.8 million eqv £8.6 million eqv €12.6 million
One of Europe’s most feared strikers has suffered more than most in 2006-2007 from a punishing 2005-2006 season that culminated in France’s defeat in the World Cup Final. But the Arsenal captain’s elegance and glamour on and off the pitch–he is married to model Nicole Merry–keeps him a marketeers’ favorite–while his Arselal contract of $220,000 (£112,000) a week keeps his bank manager merry, too.
7. Zinedine Zidane, Real Madrid
Total Earning : $15.6 million eqv £8.5 million eqv €12.4 million
An inglorious end to a glorious career–that head butt in the 2006 World Cup Final–has not diminished the Frenchman’s cult status at home now that he is retired. Famously shy for a superstar, he always made more from his playing than his pitching abilities. His earnings power is eroding now that his feet no longer do his talking.
8. Fabio Cannavaro, Real Madrid
Total Earning : $14.6 million eqv £7.9 million eqv €11.6 million
Leading Italy to the 2006 World Cup catapulted this Italian defender into the ranks of soccer’s best paid thanks to a move to Real Madrid from scandal- tainted Juventus. In Spain, he is not quite the consistent force he was in Italy, but the 32-year-old is still in fine enough form to strip down to his underwear for Dolce & Gabbana ads.
9. John Terry, Chelsea
Total Earning : $14.3 million eqv £7.7 million eqv €11.4 million
A hard-driving muscular center half for club and country, Chelsea’s iconic captain makes our list thanks to billionaire owner Ramon Abramovich’s largesse and a lucrative endorsement deal with kit maker Umbro, even though he is no clothes-hanger. Terry is likely to move up the earnings league next year as his contract is up for renewal.
10. Steven Gerrard, Liverpool
Total Earning : $14.2 million eqv £7.7 million eqv €11.3 million
Liverpool’s heart and soul, local boy Gerrard provides box-to-box English drive to a midfield of European flair. He’s inspirational on the field, and handsomely paid by Liverpool for being so, but has yet to break through to the highest level of marketing superstardom.
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abiola mayowa stephen says:
l want to be part of the sports.
July 7th, 2007 at 10:29 am
Johnleyjm Mary says:
when was this information valid
July 28th, 2007 at 7:11 am
aiyenomuro mobolaji segun says:
i want to be updated as who is the current highest paid footballer.
September 5th, 2007 at 11:15 am
edward says:
How much is the least paid footballer earning in spanish premiarship
October 5th, 2007 at 9:40 am
sammy says:
I think that cesc fabregas should be on that list because he is the best midfielder in the world
November 3rd, 2007 at 8:52 am
sammy says:
It very absurd for wayne rooney to be paid that much because he is not a good player
November 3rd, 2007 at 8:57 am
Livewyre says:
Ballack at No.5?! I don’t even remeber when he last touched a football.. Fair enough, you could say the same about Beckham, but Ballack is not Beckham!
Ronaldo should also be embarrased, seems like ability is overshadowed by marketability when it comes to cash…
November 3rd, 2007 at 4:22 pm
Livewyre says:
Hey Sammy at least Rooney actually plays football and has a future - most of these guys are on the verge of retirement - and Zidane HAS retired!
November 3rd, 2007 at 4:23 pm
frank says:
some wish to fly,some wish to earn more, i do wish to be the one paying these salaries..i.e i’d more richer.. Frankly saying,money is soon to kill the beautiful game
November 7th, 2007 at 2:30 pm
eniola olugbenga says:
i think its a good compilement. where is kaka,c.ronaldo.c.fabrigas.kanu nnwankwo. i long to see the next listing
November 17th, 2007 at 12:01 pm
eniola olugbenga says:
let me agree with livewyre,even lionel messi is not included.those are young stars who are really talented. as for c.ronaldo i think he is really up to it. he will actually deliver more than any of this guyz
November 17th, 2007 at 12:10 pm
terence says:
what is the total earning of drogba
November 22nd, 2007 at 11:53 am
femi says:
i want all latest football news in serie a,i want to be updated
December 5th, 2007 at 10:40 am
carol peter says:
it seems as if there is a kind of discrimination when it comes to payments between the black and the white players. there are good black players like etoo and drogba, but i wounder why are they not at the list, while absurd players like rooney are there.
December 12th, 2007 at 10:53 am
ayodele says:
where is my drogba.he should be included.also kaka.
January 7th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
ife says:
give me the latest higjest paid football
February 9th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
maps malven says:
please try to give us up to date information
February 13th, 2008 at 11:08 am
luns says:
who is the highest sighned and paid player of the world as of now.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
luns says:
who are the highest paid and signed players of the 2008-2009 season of the world.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
jasmine elmes says:
suk ur mum
March 18th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
STEVE OGAGANEFE says:
HELLO FELLAS ITS HI THE REAL AND ONLY ONE.PLEASE KEEP ME INFORMED WITH RECENT UPDATES.THANKS
+2348038378625
March 19th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
AKINS says:
YOU ARE DOING A GREAT JOB. BUT DO ENDEAVOUR TO GIVE CURRENT AND UPDATED IMFORMATION ON YOUR WEBSITE.
April 6th, 2008 at 10:54 am
fatfem says:
could this be the latest? i don’t think so,where is my ronaldo,kaka,ferdinand
April 8th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
Marco says:
its absolately full of discrimination,those that deliver the best footbal,their names doesn’t even feature. I think there is some sort of discrimination between the white and black players. But i assure u so called the football clubs that the time is soon coming when the blacks will rule this world
April 11th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
SHERIFF TEMIDAYO says:
Who are going to be the nominees for world best players 2008?
April 24th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
georg says:
christiano ronaldo shuold be the highest paid player in the world because he cause nightmaires to defennders
April 24th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
ABDUL-WAHAB TUNDE says:
I LOVE FC BARCELONA!!!
May 3rd, 2008 at 8:25 pm
bukky says:
i want to know the ten mostcurrent highest paid players
May 8th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
NICHOLAS says:
MESSI IS GREAT. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE HIM PLAY FOR MANCHESTER UNITED.
May 15th, 2008 at 10:45 am
allen says:
when will you update this info?it’s kinda outdated
June 3rd, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Orr says:
Updatsw this list. its like so old. becham is in los angelous galaksi. he earns 50 million per year. kaka and christiano ronaldo earn more then youur dumb list.your info sucks.
June 7th, 2008 at 3:57 am
siddiq konneh says:
i love didier drogba he should have stayed at chelsea fc,because if he leaves chelsea, then definitely i will also, as other fans of him are also planning.
June 11th, 2008 at 11:38 am
siddiq konneh says:
chelsea please learn to maintain your players and coaches as other teams do, cos you are losing substance.
June 11th, 2008 at 11:41 am
peter says:
can you pls tell me the top 10 highes paid player in the world and the best player……
June 12th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
ABONGILE AB3000 says:
your information is so old it’s a fossil. please update it before you don’t anyone visiting your site.
June 12th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
wallace says:
well wat about c.ronaldo how much does he earns
June 19th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
man u says:
C. Ronaldo????????
July 3rd, 2008 at 5:07 pm
finan says:
beckham earned 48 mil us dollars in 08 - 09 with deals from the steamy armani underwear ad nike , samsung and lot more , ronaldinho secnd with 33 mil . beckham has got to be the most overrated human being in anything. how can a guy who cant even kick a ball good earn that money
July 18th, 2008 at 1:47 am
ejiro agbahor says:
why do so many list contradict themselves? who is actually correct?
Thank you
July 22nd, 2008 at 7:47 am
ADINDU KINGSLEY says:
please try to give us up to date information on chelsea.chelsea is still my favourrite club.
July 25th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Gum Khot says:
The guys talkin about discrimination are on the spot. The players are paid in white’s currencies (euros, dollars, etc), so they (whites) should get much money. But we know the postion of our players in world football. Etoo, drogba, kanu, yakubu etc, their impact is well known.
August 7th, 2008 at 7:55 am
oluwaseun says:
i was at this site to confirm who the highest paid footballer currently is.
greatest Akokites!
greatest idiarabites!
Greatest of the GREATEST UNILAG student!
GREAT!!!
August 10th, 2008 at 1:32 am
yerro jamiu says:
can you please guess and tell me who will be the best players of this season and with a good reason that will make him be and performances of him presently.
August 12th, 2008 at 9:06 am
logic mc says:
i think frank lampard was supposed to be in that list
September 15th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
2syne says:
I hope, C. Ronaldo should be among the highest paid player because, to me he happens to be the man. Am a fan of M. United and i will prefer a better list, you people need to update your list.
September 19th, 2008 at 10:08 am
chuma says:
this infomartion is bursheet and it is old
September 29th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
gainkay says:
pls,send me the highest paid footballers for this season. thier names and clubs
October 4th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
olayinka says:
i am a real madrid fan i need information
October 21st, 2008 at 11:26 am
nadz says:
nice.. you too could be a millionaire check this blogs luckynadz.blogspot.com
November 5th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
darlington abayigbodi says:
pls update ur site with the most current info.u are misleading millions of people with ur old archaic sports gist.
November 11th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
nadz says:
have a book to promote or other items join me a N.PROMOTIONS.blogspot.com
November 25th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
success says:
all of una no get sense anyway up man united
November 27th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
korede abujade says:
u guys r seriously mad isnt steven gerrard suppose 2 b d richest in d universe
December 30th, 2008 at 6:12 pm
Ikunga Mwenda says:
Please give us the current list this seems to be the old rankings.
January 7th, 2009 at 6:05 am
OSENI O. AZEEZ says:
I LOVE MANCHESTER UNITED AND I `LL ALWAYS REMAIN MAN UTD 4LIFE.
January 30th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
ronaldo cristiano ciccone says:
where’s cristiano ronaldo ma idol…. his name should be there, because he’s great !!!
March 3rd, 2009 at 3:37 pm
ronaldo cristiano ciccone says:
por favor…you need to edit the list. it seems that the ranking was 3years ago
March 3rd, 2009 at 3:38 pm
musitafa says:
liverpool oyyee
March 10th, 2009 at 8:03 am
hflashj says:
your a bitch who knows nothin bout soccer!
July 1st, 2009 at 5:22 am
foldes says:
hey this sucks lampard,drogba should have been included…asshole
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:58 am
Ali says:
idiots they are the records
no one has broken them yet like ronaldinhos
July 6th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
haanongon george says:
l luv all top fifa valuable players.my son gerald sents his regads.cheers
July 16th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Enow ako says:
fc barcelona has made an error at the beginning of the season by selling Samuel Eto.i dont think Zlatan will be able to matchup with the egoistic attitude of messi.mark my word Pep Guardiolar will not finish to season on the bench of the club
August 5th, 2009 at 7:37 am
MR JOHN EKE says:
this must be a joke to nominated that beckham as the most richest player unto whici record those he made you people should be wise because world has open ohhhhhhhhhhhhh
August 29th, 2009 at 12:11 am
dr.pammass says:
i am very very diappionted with ur outdated list my dear i wish u put on currnet things ok pls tell us about african stars over there and list their pay list too so that we will be imformed on their stay over there.i so much love didier drogba if some could help tell him for me then i will be glad with that person i am his huge fan greater than what he him self could even imagine pls i am a cameroonian +237 77 72 61 84-97 15 20 63.thanks.du courage didier.
September 1st, 2009 at 8:40 am
babyboy says:
To me i tink ronaldinho is worth being d highest paid
October 15th, 2009 at 9:30 am
gaucho mignon says:
i think ronaldinho is still the best and requires to be the world most paid player
November 2nd, 2009 at 3:32 pm
che lionel says:
hi
pls i will like to ask for hlp from any player to hlp me to be one in future b/c it is my dream to be a great player also like you people. I am proud of you all and i will also like to be proud of my self to
thanks
December 16th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
tawanda matafi says:
are these rankings up to date bcoz l’m doubting em.?
February 19th, 2010 at 6:16 am