45. Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus) – £17m
Gianluigi Buffon is widely regarded to be one of the best goalkeepers in the world, having won over 100 caps for Italy during a glittering career that includes three league titles with Juventus and a World Cup success with the Azzurri in 2006.
Buffon is captain of both Italy and Juventus, and is also one of only three keepers to make our Top 50.
He made his debut for Parma aged 17 and in four years established himself as first choice, helping the club lift the Uefa Cup. He made his Italy debut at 19.
The talented goalkeeper was then signed by Juventus when aged 21 for over £30 million – a world-record fee for a player in his position.
The 35-year-old is a long-established member of the top earners in Serie A, commanding £100,000-a-week in Turin, with a further £407,000-a-year coming in the form of bonuses. He signed a contract extension earlier this year taking him to 2015.
As one of Italy’s highest-profile players, Buffon also commands big endorsement fees from the likes of Puma, Pepsi and Fiat.