Lionel Messi is the highest-paid footballer on the planet, banking nearly £1million a week last year in wages and sponsorship deals.
The Argentina and Barcelona favourite earned an eye-watering £47.8m in 2014, his salary of £26m being topped up by endorsements with the likes of adidas, Fifa 15 and Turkish Airlines.
It puts him well ahead of his arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo, of Real madrid and Portugal, who brought in £39.7m, according to the latest France Football magazine rich list.
Messi’s Barcelona colleague Neymar comes in third on £26.8m, highlighting the gulf between the two leading players and the rest.
Manchester United striker Robin van Persie is the highest-ranked Premier League player, earning £18.8m in 2014 — £11.8m in basic salary, topped up by £5m bonuses and £2m from sponsorship deals.
Real Madrid’s world-record signing Gareth Bale comes in sixth with £17.5m, followed by United and England captain Wayne Rooney on £16.5m. The top 10 is completed by Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Sergio Aguero and Robert Lewandowski.
Jose Mourinho of Chelsea is the highest-paid manager with a £10m salary and £3.2m in commercial revenue. – Daily Mail