Argentine professional footballer, Lionel Messi is the world’s highest-paid footballer, followed by David Beckham of England and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, according to France Football magazine. The Barcelona talisman Messi earns some 33 million euros ($43.5 million) a year with a 10.5-million-euro salary, 1.5 million euros in bonuses `nd 21 million euros in advertising and other contracts.
Lionel Messi
2012 Earnings: €33 Million (£27.5m)
2011 Earnings: €31 Million
Net worth: $110 Million – (estimated)
Current Club: FC Barcelona
The Barcelona star topped his €33 million earnings from the Spanish giants with sponsorship deals from the likes of adidas and Pepsi.
That's amazing man, because now, Lionel Messi is one of richest man in the world. Second, I'll tell you about best player in 2012.
10. Didier Drogba
He is a striker from the Ivory Coast who is born and raised in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire and was exposed to football games when he turned 15 years old. He is the top scorer for the team and he is recognized for his strength, pacing, heading, and shooting. He even led the national team at the African Nationals Final Cup. According to history, he is the sixth highest scorer for Chelsea for all time.
9. Andres Iniesta
He is a Spanish pride in the football game who is a central midfielder for La Liga Club FC Barcelona although he started as a defensive midfielder until he progressed to develop the skills to play as central midfielder. He started playing when he was 12. His skills and agility was recognized by FC Barcelona’s when he was in his teens.
8. Carlos Tevez
He is an Argentinean player who currently plays for the English Club Manchester City. He became the captain of his team in 2010 wherein his manager, named Roberto Mancini, cited him as indispensable player for the team. His strength lies on his body where he is using as an offense and defense as part of his playing techniques.
7. Steven Gerrard
He holds an exceptional record for attaining 89 caps in the England National Team. He is a proud footballer from England and he is leading his team, the Premier League Club Liverpool. He plays as a centre midfielder but he could also be positioned as right-winger and second striker at the same time.
6. Zlatan Ibrahimovic
He is a Swedish soccer player who played as a captain for the Swedish National Team and positions as a striker for the team Serie A Club Milan. In fact, he is known to be the top striker in the world because of his fantastic aerial ability and strength. He started playing at nearby Malmo FF.
5. Ricardo “Kaka” Izecson
He is better known as Kaka and plays as an attacking midfielder for Brazilian football wherein he is currently a part of the team Spanish La Liga Club Real Madrid. He is one of the football players who begun playing at age eight, in a certain local club in his place. Despite of the fact that he has also a strong passion in tennis, he has excelled and stayed more in the soccer field. When he turned 15, he had signed his first professional contract while others on this list have not yet experienced.
4. Xavier Hernández
He is from Spain and he is known as Xavi and positions as a central midfielder for La Liga Club FC Barcelona where Andres Iniesta plays too. He has been playing for 14 years in this league and had capped 107 times when he played for the Spanish National team. He was awarded as Player of the Tournament in 2008. Just this December 2011, he has laid his first goal for Lionel Messi for the 2011-2012 seasons.
3. Wayne Rooney
He is a proud English soccer player who is positioned for the Premier League Club Manchester United as its striker. He is the youngest player who ever played for England in 2003 but Theo Walcott claimed that title. He began playing at 17. His last record before 2011 ended is his 130th premier league with a 5-0 win.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo
1. Lionel Messi
