Football’s Wealthiest In 2011

On the day Lionel Messi can claim Barcelona’s club record for goals – soak that in for a moment; he’s 24 – France Football released another reason for him to celebrate.

Dude’s filthy rich.

On the annual list of football’s wealthiest, Lionel came tops again, raking in €33m for wages, sponsorships and being the best football player on the planet in general.

And fret not for those who appreciate a more traditional tinge to their lists of the financially superior: Golden McNuggets is still No. 2. France Football did the research.

Football rich list (earnings in euros):

1: Lionel Messi, Barcelona (33m)
2: David Beckham, LA Galaxy (31.5m)
3: Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid (29.2m)
4: Samuel Eto’o, Anzhi, (23.3m)
5: Wayne Rooney, Man United (20.6m)
6: Sergio Aguero, Man City (18.8m)
7: Yaya Toure, Man City (17.6m)
8: Fernando Torres, Chelsea (16.7m)
9. Kaka, Real Madrid (15.5m)
10. Philipp Lahm, Bayern Munich (14.3m).

It will forever be impossible to reconcile the existence of Yaya Toure on these lists, and if Philipp Lahm looked like anything but a twelve year old boy, he’d be off too.

Expect next year’s list to feature whichever superstar touches down on the oil slick at the Parc des Princes in the summer, and R.I.P. to land aside Torres’ name should he do no more than a brace against Leicester City.

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Category: World Football