| The question as to whether or not athletes in general | | | | However, considering all of the above, it would be |
| and soccer players in particular, should be earning the | | | | logical to say that the highest earning soccer players |
| kind of money they're earning is more vibrant then | | | | are also the ones with the highest wages. A club will |
| ever these days, with clubs paying their players | | | | want to keep a player that brings in incredible |
| incredible amounts of money each year. | | | | amounts of money through endorsements and |
| The comparison to other sports is also very relative. | | | | merchandise sale, so they will offer him a high salary. |
| A gymnast will train all his life, miss out on a lot of his | | | | According to Forbes Magazine, here are the top 3 |
| younger years only to be able to handle a world class | | | | earners: |
| performance, but he will still not win as much in his | | | | Ronaldinho ($29.5 million, salary + endorsement deals) |
| lifetime as one of the highest earning soccer players | | | | - one of the most famous and nonconformist |
| makes in a year. But that's the market's call and | | | | personas in soccer, Ronaldinho has become the |
| there's no "fair" in sales share. | | | | trademark of playing soccer as a game, not as a |
| Getting back to our topic, it's somewhat difficult to | | | | business. His constant smile while playing and his tricks |
| judge exactly how much a player makes simply from | | | | made him one of the most popular figures today, |
| his club salary, because many wage details are | | | | despite the fact that he's not as handsome and |
| private, due to obvious reasons. As a club manager, | | | | clean-cut as Beckham or Kaka. Ronaldinho is also |
| you want to create complete harmony in your team | | | | widely considered one of the best ever soccer |
| and with all of them knowing that player gets paid | | | | players, despite the fact that he still has many years |
| twice as much as the rest, won't help you out with | | | | to play for FC Barcelona, or his future clubs. |
| that. | | | | David Beckham ($29.1 million, salary + endorsement |
| The highest earning soccer players can also be | | | | deals) - no presentation required, Beckham is more |
| affected by having their salaries publicly available, | | | | than just a soccer players for close to a decade |
| because at every less than bright performance, they'll | | | | now. His recent move to LA Galaxy from Real Madrid |
| be confronted with a "My God! He really should have | | | | for an impressive transfer fee was well worth it, |
| played better for the kind of money he's making" | | | | since American finance analysts agreed that the |
| type of exclamation from fans, media and fellow | | | | transfer would soon turn to profit, as Beckham shirt |
| players. | | | | sales and other endorsements would soon earn the |
| A soccer player's income also comes from several | | | | club their money back. |
| other sources than simply his wage. For example, the | | | | Ronaldo ($23.4 million, salary + endorsement deals) - |
| best ever soccer players always made more money | | | | the ex-phenomenon, the chunky Brazilian who |
| from endorsements and ads than their wages; take a | | | | impressed the World with his speed and goal-hungry |
| look at David Beckham if you don't believe me. | | | | attitude is not at the peak of his game anymore, |
| Other contractual bonuses will also earn them a fair | | | | although his move to Milan seems to have revived |
| amount. For example, many strikers that are | | | | him somewhat. Despite his declining form, Ronaldo |
| confident in their ability to play regularly and score will | | | | remains one of the central figures in today's soccer, |
| have contract bonuses for each goal, assist or for a | | | | as he has an established name and image for over a |
| total number of goals at the end of the season, while | | | | decade. |
| agreeing for a lower wage cutout. | | | | |