The twenty richest footballers on this planet.
The salaries, calculated by France Football, include all payments received, including from their respective clubs and advertising deals.
19= Gianluigi Buffon – €12.9m
The only goalkeeper on this list, the Italian is a Juventus and Italy legend with well over 100 international caps to this name.
19= Blaise Matuidi – €12.9m
The box-to-box midfielder is not the most glamorous name on this list but he’ll be pivotal to PSG hopes of progressing the Champions League and France’s chances at this summer’s World Cup.
18. Philip Lahm – €13m
The Bayern Munich captain has switched from right back to defensive midfield under Pep Guardiola but remains just as good.
17. Mario Gotze – €13.9m
The German midfielder swapped Borussia Dortmund for Bayern Munich in the summer and won’t be regretting his decision as the Bavarians cruise to the Bundesliga title.
16. Luis Suarez – €14.2m
The Uruguayan signed a bumper new contract at Liverpool earlier this season, making him the best paid player in the club’s history. He looks worth every penny.
14= Bastian Schweinsteiger – €14.5m
Such is the talent at Bayern Munich, Schweini is no longer a guaranteed starter under Pep Guardiola but he’ll still be crucial to Germany’s team at the World Cup.
14= Gareth Bale – €14.5m
The world’s most expensive player is yet to fully justify his £85m price tag but has looked pretty special so far at Real Madrid.
13. David Silva – €15.5m
The magestic Spaniard is the heartbeat of City’s team and one of the most aesthetically pleasing players in the Premier League.
12. Yaya Touré – €16m
If Silva is the heartbeat, Toure is the engine of Man City. The imperious Ivorian will also star for his country at this summer’s World Cup.
11. Fernando Torres – €16.2m
The £50m man is paid a tonne by Chelsea but has struggled to justify his price tag or wages at Stamford Bridge and is likely to be sold, or at least lose his place in the starting XI, this summer.
10. Franck Ribery – €16.5m
The Frenchman is widely regarded as the best player in the best team in the world. Ribery has been Bayern’s star for the past 18 months and is simply unlucky that he is part of the same generation as Ronaldo and Messi.
9. Eden Hazard – €16.8m
The Belgian has stepped up a gear this season but you still get the impression he can get ever better. A contender for Premier League player of the season.
8. Thiago Silva – €17m
Widely regarded as the best defender in the world, the Brazilian marshals PSG’s back four and will be expected to do the same for this country at this summer’s World Cup on home soil.
7. Sergio Aguero – €19.7m
The Man City man is unfortunate that his incredible scoring exploits have been overshadowed by Liverpool duo Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez this season. Aguero has been phenomenal for City.
6. Radamel Falcao – €21.2m
A nasty injury means the Colombian may miss this summer’s World Cup, which will be a huge blow for neutrals. The AS Monaco striker is one of the best forwards on the planet.
5. Zlatan Ibrahimovic – €23.5m
Arrogant and egotistical, Zlatan is nonetheless a joy to watch and arguably the most unpredictable and entertaining player in football at the moment.
4. Wayne Rooney – €24m
A top player but does he still play for a top club? Rooney opted to accept a huge new deal worth £200,000 a week at Man United, rather than search for a new club this summer.
3. Neymar – €29m
The Brazilian sensation has shown glimpses of genius since arriving at Barca from Santos in the summer but is yet to fully justify his hefty price tag. He will carry the hosts hopes of his shoulders at the World Cup this summer.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo – €39.5m
The Ballon d’Or winner is enjoying another incredible season with Real Madrid and looks set to carry Portugal at the World Cup. A goal-machine.
1. Lionel Messi – €41m
He may have lost the Ballon d’Or but Messi win this. The sublime Argentine is starting to get back to best after an injury lay-off.