Cristiano Ronaldo is second highest earner in Forbs list

The Portuguese international Cristiano Ronaldo comes second in the ranking of soccer players who earn the most money each year, behind England’s David Beckham who, even in the twilight of his career, still manages to reign supreme in the world of soccer as the highest earning football player in the world, according to U.S. magazine, Forbes. 

The 35-year-old David Beckham, says Forbes, gets $40 million a year in salaries and sponsorships from Adidas, Motorola and also Armani. Beckham, may however, soon lose that status and some of the major sponsorship money, since he will miss the 2010 World Cup in South Africa due to injury. He tore his Achilles tendon in March while playing for AC Milan. 

“Our list combines salary, incentives and sponsorships. Furthermore, we talked with various officials and experts in the sport,” said Christina Settimo, a journalist with Forbes. 

Cristiano Ronaldo the Portugal midfielder and FIFA best player in the world in 2008, became the highest paid soccer player in the world in June when the English side Manchester United sold him to Real Madrid for a world record fee of $130 million. 

The 25 year old Madeira Island native Cristiano Ronaldo, signed a six-year contract with Real, with a salary of more than $16.5 in the first year, followed by increases of 25 per cent for each season. Ronaldo’s major sponsors include Nike, Coca-Cola and Armani. 

The Brazilian footballer Kaka has risen to third place on the list with $25 million annually, just ahead of compatriot Ronaldinho and Frenchman Thierry Henry. The 28-year-old forward, who won the FIFA World Player of the Year Award in 2007, was bought by Real Madrid from AC Milan for $91 million – the second-highest recorded transfer fee. Kaka’s sponsors include Adidas and Armani 

Ronaldinho comes fourth on Forbes list, and earns $25 million a year just like Kaká. The 30-year-old Brazil and AC Milan forward, was the winner of the World Player of the Year Award in 2004 and 2005. 

The last spot of the top five goes to 32-year-old French striker Thierry Henry, who makes $24 million a year. Henry, who plays for Barcelona, has sponsorships with Gillette, Reebok and Pepsi. 

Lionel Messi of Argentina, the 2009 FIFA World Player of the Year and considered by many as the best player in the current season, appears in sixth position, with annual revenues of $20 million. 

Next comes Frank Lampard, the Chelsea midfielder in seventh position, earning $17 million, while teammate John Terry comes in eighth, with $16 million earned. 

Zlatan Ibrahimovic the Sweden striker is ninth, also earning $16 million, while Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard tops off the “top ten” position with earnings of $15 million. 

On Wednesday, Forbes had put Manchester United as the most valuable club in the world, ahead of Real Madrid and Arsenal. 

 Here is a list of the “Top Ten” clubs according to Forbes magazine: 

1. Man. United:                1.75 Billion USD 

2. Real Madrid:                1.34 Billion USD 

3. Arsenal:                       1.21 Billion USD 

4. Barcelona:                    1 Billion USD 

5. Bayem Munique:            992 Million USD 

6. Liverpool:                      824 Million USD 

7. AC Milan:                      802 MillionUSD 

8. Chelsea:                        647 Million USD 

9. Juventus:                       603 Million USD 

10. Inter Milan:                  414 Million USD