Former Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen is doing well for himself financially at Barcelona despite only featuring in a handful of games since his move there just over a year ago, so much so that he is earning quite a bit more than several of his Real Madrid counterparts.
A list has been uncovered detailing the wage bills of both El Classico sides, and is being currently displayed on SportsJoe.
The figures show that Vermaelen is currently earning £2.5million-a-year, which is more than Real Madrid playmaker Isco, who earns a paltry £1.4m-a-year in comparison.
The big earners are as you’d expect with Lionel Messi top pin the bunch, but see below to see how they weight up.
Barcelona
1. Messi: €21.2
=2. Neymar & Suarez: €10m
4. Iniesta: €7.5m
5. Rakitic: €6.5m
6. Busquets & Alves: €6m
8. Piqué: €5.8m
9. Mascherano: €5.5m
=10. Alba & Arda Turan: €4m
=12. Bravo & Vermaelen: €3.5m
=14. Ter Stegen & Mathieu: €3m
=16. Adriano & Aleix Vidal: €2.5m
=18. Bartra & Bartra: €2m
20. Sergi Roberto & Douglas: €1.5m
= 22. Masip, Munir & Sandro: €1m
Real Madrid
1. Cristiano Ronaldo: €17m
2. Bale: €11m
3. Ramos: €10m (since increased after Ramos’ contract extension in September)
4. Benzema: €8m
=5. James Rodríguez & Kroos: €6m
7. Modric: €4.5m
8. Marcelo: €4m
9. Pepe: €3.8m
10. Arbeloa: €2.8m
11. Varane: €2.4m
=12. Keylor Navas & Isco: €2m
=14. Jesé, Carvajal & Nacho: €1.2m