who is the highest paid footballer (Page 4)

Tuesday, April 08, 2008
David Beckham is world's highest-paid player

David Beckham has overtaken Ronaldinho to regain the title of soccer's highest-paid player in France Football magazine's annual survey.

Beckham's earnings from salary and endorsements soared 82 percent to £24.7 million following his move to Los Angeles Galaxy from Real Madrid.

It means that he also moves above the Brazilian from last year's France Football survey.

Ronaldinho's income was unchanged at £19.2 million, while he also reclaimed the position he held for three years up through 2005.

He currently has a $5.5 million base salary, although this figure could rise to as much as $250 million over the course of five years with endorsements and profit sharing, according to LAGalaxy.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo climbed to third and fourth respectively, with income of £18.3 million and £15.5 million.

Messi is also one of the stand-out names on the list - he is the youngest by some distance in the top 10 as he celebrates his 21st birthday in June.

Jose Mourinho remains the top-paid manager, even though he is currently on gardening leave in Portugal with earnings of £23.1 million.

England coach Fabio Capello is the next, with £11.3 million, followed by Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson, who gets £5.9 million.