Lionel Messi tops football pay league

Updated
Soccer - La Liga - Barcelona v Real Madrid - Camp Nou Stadium
Soccer - La Liga - Barcelona v Real Madrid - Camp Nou Stadium


Barcelona's Lionel Messi has been named the world's best-paid footballer, raking in almost £1 million a week.

The 27-year-old has a basic salary of over £26 million a year, plus commercial deals from the likes of Adidas, FIFA 15 and Turkish Airlines that add up to even more, bringing his total earnings to £48.1 million.

And, according to France Football's annual survey of wages, this puts him clearly ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo, who's making a measly £40 million a year - £10 million more than last year.
http://www.francefootball.fr/

Messi's Barcelona team-mate Neymar comes in in third place, with earnings of £26.8 million, one place ahead of his Brazil team-mate Thiago Silva with £20.4 million.

The highest paid Premier League player is Robin Van Persie, who comes in in fifth place with £18.8 million. Real Madrid's Gareth Bale and England captain Wayne Rooney are sixth and ,with £17.5 million and £16.5 million respectively.

The rest of the top ten are Zlatan Ibrahimokic, with £15.9 million; Sergio Aguero, with £15.7 million and Robert Lewandowski with £14.9 million.

Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho is the world's highest paid coach, with a £10 million salary from Chelsea and £3.2 million from commercial deals.

Carlo Ancelotti is second, with £11.4 million, and Pep Guardiola follows close behind with £11.2 million. Arsene Wenger was fourth with £8.3 million.

With such a clear lead, Messi has a very good chance of heading the pay table next year too, giving him six years at the top in a row - which would match David Beckham's record.

Messi sustained a foot injury during Barcelona's 2-1 win over Real Madrid in El Clasico last Sunday. However, he's just been passed fit by Barcelona to stay on with Argentine in Washington for their Copa America warm-up friendly against El Salvador on Saturday.

Top 20 players (France Football)

1. Lionel Messi (Barcelona): €65 million
2. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid): €54 million
3. Neymar (Barcelona): €36.5 million
4. Thiago Silva (Paris Saint-Germain): €27.5 million
5. Robin Van Persie (Manchester United): €25.6 million
6. Gareth Bale (Real Madrid): €23.8 million
7. Wayne Rooney (Manchester United): €22.5 million
8. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Paris Saint-Germain): €21.5 million
9. Sergie Aguero (Manchester City): €21.2 million
10.Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich): €20.2 million
11. Eden Hazard (Chelsea) and Yaya Toure (Manchester City): €20 million
13. Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao (Manchester United): €18.5 million
15. Iker Casillas (Real Madrid): €17.8 million
16. David Silva (Manchester City) and Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea): €17.3 million
18. David Luiz (Paris Saint-Germain): €17.2 million
19. Karim Benzema (Real Madrid): €17 million
20. Mario Gotze (Bayern Munich): €16.9

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