Cristiano Ronaldo dethrones David Beckham as world's richest footballer
FIFA World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo has become the wealthiest footballer in the world with earnings of 122 million Pounds after England soccer legend David Beckham's retirement put him out of contention for the annual Goal Rich List.
Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has gone past England soccer legend David Beckham to become the richest footballer in the world with earnings of 122 million pounds. Beckham, who was last year's richest with 165 million Pounds, was not considered for the annual Goal Rich List after his retirement. (Ronaldo sets all-time scoring record for Portugal)
Portuguese forward and FIFA World Player of the Year Ronaldo signed a new 76 million-Pound deal with Real Madrid last year and also boasts of a lucrative Nike sponsorship deal. Barcelona striker Lionel Messi finds himself in second place with 120.5 million Pounds, his ad deals for Adidas and Turkish Airlines being one of the reasons for the wealth. (Messi fails as Barcelona slip in La Liga| Messi's vomiting problems not normal: Martino)
Chelsea forward Samuel Eto'o, 32, was third with a 70 million-Pound profile, most of which came when he was the highest-paid footballer while at Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala last year.
Interestingly, England player Wayne Rooney, at fourth, is the only one from his country to make the list after he signed a 300,000 Pounds-per-week deal with Manchester United. Rooney has sponsorship deals worth 1.8 million Pounds a year, which includes contracts with Samsung and Nike. His wife Coleen has a successful jewellery and clothing business. (Rooney impossible to replace: Moyes| Rooney agrees to new deal with Man United)