The name SOCCER, not only throttles adrenaline rush inside the body, but also in the surrounding atmosphere and a whooping sum of payments that the players get is an icing over the cake. These players are bestowed with fame and money.
Let us have a look at the top 5 highest paid soccer players of this era.
- Christiano Rolando: The name is a whole brand in itself; the Portuguese national player, who is currently associated with Real Madrid club, is the top grosser of our times. His annual income from the club salary is $52.2 million and when combined with $26.8 million earnings from his endorsements, he makes a whooping $79 million per year. This sum brings him to the league of highest paid athletes of the world. Apart, from these he also earns from his self-owned brand of underwear named CR7.
- Lionel Messi: Part of argentine national soccer team, Lionel Messi earns $70.5 million per annum currently. He plays for the club Barcelona, which pays him a sum of $48.5 million per year and the remaining $22 million comes from his brand endorsements. With the title of four consecutive Ballon d’Or‘s in his kitty, major brands line up before him to endorse brands. However, the humble looking Messi had received notice of $6.5 million, last year, from Spanish Tax authority.
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic: The player famous for his signature bicycle kick is a part of Swedish national team and plays for Paris Saint-Germain club in the French Ligue which pays him $35.8 yearly and his endorsements bring to him $6 million per annum, amounting to a total sum of $41.8 million. His popularity comes from being the first player over 20 years to score 30 goals in French Ligue.
- Gareth Bale: This player earns a salary of $25.4 million from his employer club Real Madrid and $6.5 million from his yearly endorsements, taking his total earnings to $34.9 million per year. He gets his salary from real Madrid as a weekly wage.
- Neymar da Silva Santos Junior: Popularly known as Neymar is a Brazilian Soccer player. He plays for club Barcelona which pays him $14.7 million; while a major portion $17 million comes from his endorsements which are equal to $17 million per year. The figures itself speak of his fan following and popularity.
It is evident from the above figures that with advancements and expertise in the game of soccer come a lot of endorsements which may form a major portion of the player’s earnings. However, the amount of hard work and perseverance shown by these players to reach the peak of the game is commendable. Hence, it could be rightly said that they deserve what they earn!!!
