Top 10 Richest Footballers in the World 2014

World's Richest Footballers
Also known as soccer, football is an immensely popular sport all over
the world and the most lucrative. A soccer player requires strength
and skills. Successful football players enjoy huge fan following all
over the world. They also make plenty of money. Based on Wealth-X and
Goal 2014 lists of the Top 10 Richest Footballers in the World.
=9) Gianluigi Buffon (Italy) – Net Worth: $70 Million
Gianluigi Buffon is the captain and goal keeper of Italy. He is also
the captain of Turin. He has made plenty of money by endorsing the
popular brand Puma.
=9) Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast) – Net Worth: $70 Million
Toure has received African Player of the Year three consecutive times
since 2011 and is recognised as one of the Côte d'Ivoire's 'Golden
Generation'. He was an important player in the Barcelona team that won
the Champions League in 2009 and is currently the engine room of
Manchester City's team. He earns a reported $15 million a year to
reinforce his status as one of the world's best.
8) Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon) – Net Worth: $75 Million
This Cameroon striker earned a world record salary of 20 million euros
in 2011, during his time in Russia he was the world's highest paid
footballer. He was in the news in 2009 when he bought 33,000 euros
worth of watches for his Cameroon National Teammates. He also makes
money through endorsements and investments in telecommunication (SET)
back in Cameroon. Wealth-X put his net worth at $75 million.
=6) Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast) – Net Worth: $90 Million
Didier Drogba's enormous fortune is impressive, considering the
Ivorian didn't earn a big move until his 2004 transfer to Chelsea at
the age of 26. Since then however the former Chelsea legend has signed
a number of lucrative contracts. At the height of his powers at
Chelsea he was paid $170,000 a week, a figure dwarfed however by the
staggering $325,000 he earned in his short spell at Shanghai Shenhua.
He currently earns $5.2million a year at Galatasaray, however with a
number of lucrative sponsorship deals his actual earnings a year are
far more.
=6) Ronaldinho (Brazil) – Net Worth: $90 Million
If you have watched the 2002 world cup, you will remember Ronaldinho's
outstanding performance. His movement from PSG to Barcelona earned him
plenty of money. His total earning was estimated to be around 30
million euros. He has also earned through his association with brands
like Nike.
5) Wayne Rooney (England) – Net Worth: $95 Million
Wayne Rooney signed the biggest contract in British football history
recently. He will be paid 365,000 euros weekly by Manchester United
for the next five years. He also earns by endorsing brands like Nike.
4) Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden) – Net Worth: $100 Million
This immensely talented Swede was regarded as the most expensive
player in football history in 2013. His fortune is thanks mainly to
frequently moving between a host of big name clubs including
Barcelona, AC Milan, Juventus and PSG.
3) Kaká (Brazil) – Net Worth: $110 Million
Kaka is making plenty of money through commercial deals with popular
brands like Ea Sports, Adidas and Sony. He also owns many luxury
apartments in Manhattan, New York, and other cities like Milan and
Madrid.
2) Lionel Messi (Argentina) – Net Worth: $180 Million
This Argentine striker signed a contract with Barcelona in December
2012. It is valid till 2018. As per the contract, he will be paid 15
million euros per annum. He also makes money through endorsements. He
is associated with many reputed brands like Adidas.
1) Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) – Net Worth: $230 Million
This Portuguese striker is the holder of Ballon d'Or and the
wealthiest soccer player in the world. He is also the world's most
expensive footballer, costing $132 million when he moved to Real
Madrid in 2009. He will be with the team till 2018. He also earn 17
million euros every year from the Portuguese national team. The Real
Madrid star is the second highest endorser in football history after
David Beckham.
The above-mentioned football greats entertain football lovers all over
the world through their skill. They deserve all the money they are
making.