25. Fernando Torres (Chelsea) – £25m
As part of the all-conquering Spanish national team, Fernando Torres has earned over 100 caps and helped his country to win a World Cup and two European Championships. He also picked up Champions League and FA Cup winners’ medals with Chelsea in 2012.
Torres is the joint top earner at the European champions, taking home £160,000-a-week since arriving at the London club for a British record £50 million from Liverpool in January 2011.
Despite a hugely-disappointing spell in London, El Nino continues to enjoy a high profile and sought-after image that earns him substantial sums in sponsorships and endorsements to supplement his pay.
He earns over £2m a year from Nike, Pepsi, El Corte Ingles, Aviva, Banco Gallego and PUIG. Ahead of Euro 2012 he also cashed in by appearing in advertising campaigns for Cruzcampo, Chevrolet, Continental and Gatorade.
Former sponsors include Kellogg’s, Pringles, Pepe Jeans, Cuatro TV, Telepizza, Racer, Mahou and Toshiba, while the 28-year-old Spanish hitman also released his autobiography called ‘Torres: El Nino: My Story’ in 2009.
He has exclusive properties in Madrid and London and has been spotted driving a £160,000 Aston Martin DBS.