Football’s top earners

Friday, 23/04/2010

His career may be nearing an end and his global appeal may be fading but David Beckham is still foootball’s top earner.

The man dubbed Goldenballs earned $40m dollars last year to put him well ahead of the field in the cash stakes.

The injured LA Galaxy midfielder who will miss the World Cup finals is believed to make around 80 per cent of his money from sponsorships and endorsements.

The former England captain is ahead of another Old Trafford old boy in the money league with Cristiano Ronaldo in second on $30m.

Ronaldo, a record buy by Real Madrid last year, is thought to earn half of his earnings from his football salary.

 

The earnings league

1. David Beckham 40m

2. Cristiano Ronaldo 30m

3. Kaka 25m

4. Ronaldhino 25m

5. Thierry Henry 24m

6. Lionel Messi 20m

7. Frank Lampard 17m

8. John Terry 16m

9. Zlatan Ibrahimovich 16m

10. Steven Gerrard 15m

*All figures in dollars, as compiled by Forbes.

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