2012 List of the World’s Highest Paid Footballers – Richest Footballers

Posted: 3:21 am, September 4, 2012 by Bettina Padurano

Here, we’ll look at highest paid footballers, please keep in mind this is based on salary, bonuses and commercial endorsements. Barcelona’s Argentine professional footballer, Lionel Messi was the highest-paid football player in the world in 2011 and once again now in 2012. Lionel Messi was followed by David Beckham and Portuguese national squad captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who earned €31.5 million and €29.2 million, respectively.

1. Lionel Messi

2012 Earnings: €33 Million (£27.5m)
2011 Earnings: €31 Million
Net worth: $110 Million – (estimated)
Current Club: FC Barcelona

2. David Beckham

2012 Earnings: €31.5 Million (£26.2m)
2011 Earnings: €19 million
Net worth: £160 Million or $260m – As of May 2012, according to the Sunday Times UK Rich List
Current Club: Los Angeles Galaxy

3. Cristiano Ronaldo

2012 Earnings: €29.2 Million (£24.3m)
2011 Earnings: €27.5 million
Net worth: $160 Million – (estimated)
Current Club:Real Madrid

4. Samuel Eto’o

2012 Earnings:€23.3 Million (£19.4m)
2011 Earnings: €13 Million
Net worth: $50 Million – (estimated)
Current Club: FC Anzhi Makhachkala

5. Wayne Rooney

2012 Earnings:€20.6 Million (£17.2m)
2011 Earnings: €20.7 million
Net worth: £45 Million or $72m – As of May 2012, according to the Sunday Times UK Rich List
Current Club: Manchester United

6. Sergio Aguero

2012 Earnings: €18.8 Million (£15.7m)
Net worth: £37 million or $59m – As of May 2011, according to the Sunday Times UK Rich List
Current Club: Manchester City

7. Yaya Touré

2012 Earnings: €17.6 Million (£14.7m)
2011 Earnings: €13.8 Million
Net Worth: £12 Million or $19m – As of May 2012, according to Sunday Times UK Rich List
Current Club: Manchester City

8. Fernando Torres

2012 Earnings: €16.7 Million (£13.9m)
2011 Earnings: €14 Million
Net Worth: £21 Million or $33.5m – As of May 2012, according to Sunday Times UK Rich List
Current Club: Chelsea

9. Ricardo Kaka

2012 Earnings: €15.5 million (£12.9m)
2011 Earnings: €19.3 Million
Net worth: $100 Million – (estimated)
Current Club: Real Madrid

10. Philipp Lahm

2012 Earnings: €16.7 Million (£11.9m)
2011 Earnings: €14 Million
Current Club: Bayern Munich

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About the author: Bettina Padurano

A social media consultant and a top-ranked community member on multiple social news sites. Passionate about Computers, Programming, Internet and Technologies that drive them. (bpadurano@ceoworld.biz)

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