The Top Ten Highest-Paid Footballers In 2019

Lionel Messi was the highest-paid footballer last year, raking in £11 million more than long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Barcelona captain and talisman tops the list of football's highest-earners according to France Football, via the Daily Mail, having made a whopping £120 million from wages, bonuses, endorsements, commercial and more.

There's not too much in it between football's two titans but they are the only two on the top ten to collect more than £100 million - with the rest of the pack trailing quite considerably.

Neymar, the most expensive player in world football, finds himself in third spot after earning £87 million - with Real Madrid winger/golf enthusiast Gareth Bale making £35.45 million despite being somewhat ostracised in the Spanish capital of late.

Image: PA

Antoine Griezmann and Eden Hazard took home £35.2 million and £32 million respectively despite both having underwhelming seasons in La Liga after their big-money moves a year ago.

Image: PA

The real surprise on the list is seeing Andres Iniesta lie in seventh with £31.14 million. Now 36-years of age, the Barcelona and Spain legend plies his trade with Vissel Kobe in Japan these days but is clearly still doing pretty good for himself money-wise.

Image: PA

Manchester City and England star Raheem Sterling, who is the only Premier League player on the list, received £30.96 million overall - placing him ahead of Bayern Munich hitman Robert Lewandowski (£26.56 million) and Paris Saint-Germain boy-wonder Kylian Mbappe (£24.7 million).

Here is the list in full:

1. Lionel Messi - £120 million

2. Cristiano Ronaldo - £109 million

3. Neymar - £87 million

4. Gareth Bale - £35.45 million

5. Antoine Griezmann - £35.25 million

6. Eden Hazard - £32.06 million

7. Andres Iniesta - £31.14 million

8. Raheem Sterling - £30.96 million

9. Robert Lewandowski - £26.56 million

10. Kylian Mbappe - £24.73 million

Topics: Football News, Football, Neymar, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Raheem Sterling

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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