Beckham leads Forbes list of highest earners (AP)

Thursday, April 22, 2010

LONDON (AP)—David Beckham, even in the night before of his personification career, stillreigns autarchic in the world of football as the highest earning player in theworld, according to Forbes magazine.

The 35-year-old Beckham earns $40 million annually, with many of which comingfrom sponsors such as Adidas, Giorgio Armani as well as Motorola. But Beckham isexpected to remove vital sponsorship money this year since he will miss theWorld Cup in South Africa after tearing his Achilles’ tendon in March playingfor AC Milan.

Portugal midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo is second upon the Forbes list, earning$30 million the year. Ronaldo’s vital sponsors embody Nike, Coca-Cola and, likeBeckham, Giorgio Armani.

Ronaldo, the 2008 FIFA World Player of the Year, became the highest paidfootball player in the world in Jun when Real Madrid paid for the 25-year-oldwinger from Manchester United for $130 million. He afterwards signed the six-yearcontract which pays an estimated $15.5 million in the initial year, afterwards increases25 percent any season.

Brazil playmaker Kaka, Ronaldo’s teammate at Madrid, is third upon the list,earning $25 million annually.

The 28-year-old forward, who won the 2007 FIFA World Player of the YearAward, was paid for from AC Milan for $91 million—the second highest recordedtransfer fee. Kaka’s sponsors embody Adidas as well as Giorgio Armani.

Ronaldinho is fourth upon Forbes’ list, also earning $25 million the year. The30-year-old Brazil forward, who plays for AC Milan, won the FIFA World Player ofthe Year Award in 2004 as well as ’05.

Rounding out the top five is France striker Thierry Henry, who makes $24million the year. The 32-year-old Henry plays for Barcelona as well as has sponsorshipswith Reebok, Gillette as well as P! epsi.

Lionel Messi, the reigning FIFA World Player of the Year, is sixth upon thelist with earnings of $20 million annually. Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard isseventh, earning $17 million, with teammate John Terry in eighth, earning $16million.

Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is ninth, also earning $16 million, whileLiverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard earns $15 million in 10th place.

On Wednesday, Forbes ranked Manchester United as football’s many valuableteam. Real Madrid was second as well as Arsenal was third—the same top 3 as lastyear.



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