Madrid's "Real" leader Cristiano Ronaldo earned an impressive sum in 2014 and became the highest-earning footballer per year.
The influential U.S. magazine "Forbes" recognized the 30-year-old from Portugal as the highest-earning footballer for the second consecutive year. In 2014, the forward managed to accumulate 79 million U.S. dollars.
"Barcelona" star and Ronaldo's biggest rival Lionel Messi earned 70.5 million U.S. dollars per year, while in third place with 41.8 million U.S. dollars remained Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Two "Real" and "Barcelona" players made it to the top five. They are Gareth Bale (34.9 million U.S. dollars) and Neymar (31.7 million).
It is worth mentioning that English "Premier" League clubs pay the most generously to players - an average of 3.4 million U.S. dollars.
Top ten highest-earning footballers:
- Cristiano Ronaldo, 79 million (U.S. dollars)
- Lionel Messi, 70.5 million
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 41.8 million
- Gareth Bale, 34.9 million
- Neymar, 31.7 million
- Radamel Falcao, 31 million
- Wayne Rooney, 25.8 million
- James Rodriguez, 25.4 million
- Sergio Aguero, 25.3 million
- Luis Suarez, 19.9 million
