Will Ronaldo risk his extremely lucrative career to continue playing? Check out how much he makes to play soccer, and nine of the other highest-paid FIFA athletes.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo - Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo is the highest earning athlete in FIFA, with his total earnings equal to $80 million. We're not surprised because, apart from his lucrative salary, he has some huge sponsorship contracts with Tag Heuer and underwear labeled CR7 that earn him an extra $28 million.
Total Earnings: $80 million
Salary/winnings: $52 million
Endorsements: $28 million
FIFA Rank: 4th
World Cup Appearance: 3rd
2. Lionel Messi - Argentina
Messi is well-known for being one of the greatest soccer players in the world, if not the greatest, earning a total for $64.7 million. He also has some big deals with sponsors like Adidas and Turkish Airlines, which throws in an extra $23 million on top of his $41.7 million salary
Total Earnings: $64.7 million
Salary/winnings: $41.7 million
Endorsements: $23 million
FIFA Rank: 5th
World Cup Appearance: 3rd
3. Neymar - Brazil
Neymar is a rising star. His transfer to Barcelona last year was one of the ten most expensive transfers in football history.
Total Earnings: $33.6 million
Salary/winnings: $17.6 million
Endorsements: $16 million
FIFA Rank: 3rd
World Cup Appearance: 1st
4. Wayne Rooney - England
The pride of England, Manchester United rewarded Wayne Rooney, a 10-year veteran, with a record 4-year contract extension worth up to $104 million.
Total Earnings: $23.4 million
Salary/winnings: $18.4 million
Endorsements: $5 million
FIFA Rank: 10th
World Cup Appearance: 3rd
5. Sergio Aguero - Argentina
Sergio Aguero is reportedly the 8th richest soccer player in the world and has endorsement deals with Gillette, Pepsi and Puma.
Total Earnings: $23.3 million
Salary/winnings: $18.3 million
Endorsements: $5 million
FIFA Rank: 5th
World Cup Appearance: 2nd
6. Yaya Toure - Ivory Coast
Last April, Yaya Toure signed a 4-year deal that will keep him with Machester City until 2017.
Total Earnings: $21.7 million
Salary/winnings: $19.2 million
Endorsements: $2.5 million
FIFA Rank: 23rd
World Cup Appearance: 3rd
7. Fernando Torres - Spain
In addition to playing for Chelsea and the Spain nation team, Fernando Torres has sponsorship deals with Adidas and Pepsi.
Total Earnings: $21.3 million
Salary/winnings: $17.8 million
Endorsements: $3.5 million
FIFA Rank: 1st
World Cup Appearance: 3rd
8. Robin van Persie - Netherlands
Total Earnings: $19.5 million
Salary/winnings: $16.5 million
Endorsements: $3 million
FIFA Rank: 15th
World Cup Appearance: 3rd
9. Steven Gerrard - England
Total Earnings: $18.7 million
Salary/winnings: $13.2 million
Endorsements: $5.5 million
FIFA Rank: 10th
World Cup Appearance: 3rd
10. Mesut Ozil - Germany
Total Earnings: $18.5 million
Salary/winnings: $12.5 million
Endorsements: $6 million
World Cup Appearance: 2nd