The Footie Fool

Forbes has released their top 10 list of highest paid soccer players and Barcelona’s Ronaldinho has usurped David Beckham to move into the top spot.

Thanks to endorsement deals with Nike and the likes of consumer electronics giant Sony, the Brazilian made $29.5 million US last year.

Beckham finished just behind Ronaldhino at $29.1 million US (but hey, whats $400,000 between friends?). Say what you will about his playing ability, but you cannot underestimate his marketing savvy. With a potential $250 million marketing and playing deal with the Los Angeles Galaxy, Beckahm may be able to milk his endorsement career long after his playing career is over.

Notably absent from the list is ManU’s Christiano Ronaldo. Look for him to crack the top 10 next year with a new contract at wherever he decides to play, which will no doubt put him into the super elite club.

The Forbes 10 highest paid soccer players:

1. Ronaldhino Barcelona $29.5 million
2. David Beckham Real Madrid/LA Galaxy $29.1 million
3. Ronaldo, AC Milan $23.4 million
4. Wayne Rooney, Manchester United $17.2 million (I love Forbes line about Rooney: “The epitome of the sports star who wears his brains in his boots”).
5. Michael Ballack, Chelsea $16.8 million. Perhaps the top paid player in the game, making the majority of his money from actually playing and not endorsements.
6. Thierry Henry, Arsenal $15.8 million
7. Zinedine Zidane, Real Madrid $15.6 million
8. Fabio Cannavaro, Real Madrid $14.6 million
9. John Terry, Chelsea $14.3 million
10. Steven Gerrard, Liverpool $14.2 million