The 35-year-old Beckham earns $40 million annually, with much of that coming from sponsors such as Adidas, Giorgio Armani and Motorola. But Beckham is expected to lose major sponsorship money this year because he will miss the World Cup in South Africa after tearing his Achilles' tendon in March playing for AC Milan. "Our list combines footballers' salaries, incentives and sponsorship income and was compiled by examining club and commercial sponsor filings and talking to talent agents and soccer experts in Europe and the United States," Forbes reporter Christina Settimi said. Portugal midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo is second on the Forbes list, earning $30 million a year. Ronaldo's major sponsors include Nike, Coca-Cola and, like Beckham, Giorgio Armani.
Ronaldo, the 2008 FIFA World Player of the Year, became the highest paid football player in the world in June when Real Madrid bought the 25-year-old winger from Manchester United for $130 million. He then signed a six-year contract that pays an estimated $15.5 million in the first year, then increases 25 percent each season.
Brazil playmaker Kaka, Ronaldo's teammate at Madrid, is third on the list, earning $25 million annually. The 28-year-old forward, who won the 2007 Fifa World Player of the Year Award, was bought from AC Milan for $91 million-the second highest recorded transfer fee. Kaka's sponsors include Adidas and Giorgio Armani. Ronaldinho is fourth on Forbes' list, also earning $25 million a year. The 30-year-old Brazil forward, who plays for AC Milan, won the Fifa World Player of the Year Award in 2004 and '05. Rounding out the top five is France striker Thierry Henry, who makes $24 million a year. The 32-year-old Henry plays for Barcelona and has sponsorships with Reebok, Gillette and Pepsi. Lionel Messi, the reigning Fifa World Player of the Year, is sixth on the list with earnings of $20 million annually. Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard is seventh, earning $17 million, with teammate John Terry in eighth, earning $16 million. Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is ninth, also earning $16 million, while Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard earns $15 million in 10th place. On Wednesday, Forbes ranked Manchester United as football's most valuable team. Real Madrid was second and Arsenal was third-the same top three as last year.
