Soccer's Highest Earners
1: David Beckham
Earnings: $40 million / 29 million euros / 24 million pounds
Age: 35
Country: U.K.
Club: AC Milan; Los Angeles Galaxy
Major Sponsors: Adidas, Giorgio Armani, Motorola, Coty, Cabo Sao Roque Resort, Go3, Sharpie
*Beckham's playing future is uncertain, but his sponsorship potential continues. He was recently transformed into a Terminator-like character to promote the Motorola Aura, a $2,000 luxury smartphone. Additionally, after losing top billing with Giorgio Armani, he decided to launch his own underwear line.
2: Cristiano Ronaldo
Earnings: $30 million / 22 million euros / 18 million pounds
Age: 25
Country: Portugal
Club: Real Madrid CF
Major Sponsors: Nike, Giorgio Armani, Coca-Cola, Castrol, EA Sports, Banco Espirito Santo
*Ronaldo is becoming Beckham's heir apparent both on and off the pitch. Having followed his footsteps first at Manchester United and then on to Real Madrid, he is now trying on Beck's advertising pants, so to speak. Ronaldo recently signed on to become the new underwear and jeans model for Giorgio Armani. His handlers report turning down 90%.
3: Ricardo Kaka
Earnings: $25 million / 18 million euros / 15 million pounds
Age: 28
Country: Brazil
Club: Real Madrid CF
Major Sponsors: Adidas, Giorgio Armani, Bravia, Guarana
*The wholesome Brazillian joined Ronaldo at Real Madrid in the second highest transfer fee on record (Real shelled out $91 million to acquire his rights from AC Milan.) While he has been suffering from a leg injury and missed some playing time, he's expected to be a key factor in Brazil's bid to win the World Cup.
Earnings: $25 million / 18 million euros / 15 million pounds
Age: 30
Country: Brazil
Club: AC Milan
Major Sponsors: Nike, Nutrilite, Konica, Pepsi
*The aging Brazillian star, voted player of the decade by World Soccer magazine, was rumored to be moving to the English Premier League after it leaked AC Milan was going to offer him a contract extension with a pay cut. A more sure sign of whether the sun has set on his career is if he is included on his national team for the World Cup.
5: Thierry Henry
Earnings: $24 million / 18 million euros / 14 million pounds
Age: 32
Country: France
Club: NY Red Bulls
Major Sponsors: Reebok, Gillette, Pepsi
*Henry has been rumored for years to be on the verge of moving to the New York Red Bull of MLS. In reaction to a controversy following the France-Ireland 2010 World Cup qualifier in which Henry admitted to using his hands to assist in France's winning goal to knock Ireland out of Cup consideration,
Age: 35
Country: U.K.
Club: AC Milan; Los Angeles Galaxy
Major Sponsors: Adidas, Giorgio Armani, Motorola, Coty, Cabo Sao Roque Resort, Go3, Sharpie
*Beckham's playing future is uncertain, but his sponsorship potential continues. He was recently transformed into a Terminator-like character to promote the Motorola Aura, a $2,000 luxury smartphone. Additionally, after losing top billing with Giorgio Armani, he decided to launch his own underwear line.
Earnings: $30 million / 22 million euros / 18 million pounds
Age: 25
Country: Portugal
Club: Real Madrid CF
Major Sponsors: Nike, Giorgio Armani, Coca-Cola, Castrol, EA Sports, Banco Espirito Santo
*Ronaldo is becoming Beckham's heir apparent both on and off the pitch. Having followed his footsteps first at Manchester United and then on to Real Madrid, he is now trying on Beck's advertising pants, so to speak. Ronaldo recently signed on to become the new underwear and jeans model for Giorgio Armani. His handlers report turning down 90%.
3: Ricardo Kaka
Age: 28
Country: Brazil
Club: Real Madrid CF
Major Sponsors: Adidas, Giorgio Armani, Bravia, Guarana
*The wholesome Brazillian joined Ronaldo at Real Madrid in the second highest transfer fee on record (Real shelled out $91 million to acquire his rights from AC Milan.) While he has been suffering from a leg injury and missed some playing time, he's expected to be a key factor in Brazil's bid to win the World Cup.
4: Ronaldinho
Earnings: $25 million / 18 million euros / 15 million pounds
Age: 30
Country: Brazil
Club: AC Milan
Major Sponsors: Nike, Nutrilite, Konica, Pepsi
*The aging Brazillian star, voted player of the decade by World Soccer magazine, was rumored to be moving to the English Premier League after it leaked AC Milan was going to offer him a contract extension with a pay cut. A more sure sign of whether the sun has set on his career is if he is included on his national team for the World Cup.
5: Thierry Henry
Age: 32
Country: France
Club: NY Red Bulls
Major Sponsors: Reebok, Gillette, Pepsi
*Henry has been rumored for years to be on the verge of moving to the New York Red Bull of MLS. In reaction to a controversy following the France-Ireland 2010 World Cup qualifier in which Henry admitted to using his hands to assist in France's winning goal to knock Ireland out of Cup consideration,
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