Manchester United’s captain David Beckham is the highest paid player in Europe, France Football magazine says.
The magazine puts his earnings at €15-million (about $17- million) a year, 1-million more than Real Madrid’s French star Zinedine Zidane.
Brazil World Cup star Ronaldo, also of Real Madrid, was said to be on €11,7-million (about $13,2-million) a year.
Fourth was United’s defender Rio Ferdinand on €9,62-million (about $10-million), followed by Juventus star Alessandro Del Piero on €9,55-million (about $11-million) and, surprisingly, Japan’s Hidetoshi Nakata, who plays for Italian side Parma, on €9,36-million (about $10-million).
The magazine calculated earnings from salaries, bonuses, endorsements and image rights.
It estimated Beckham was paid €6,6-million (about $7-million) in salary and €8,4 million (about $9,5-million) in endorsements.
Beckham’s off-field earnings made the difference with Zidane, who cost Real a world record €72.1 million (about $81,7-million) when they bought him from Juventus in 2001.
Top 20 earners
1. David Beckham (England, Manchester United) €15-million (about $17-million)
2. Zinedine Zidane (France, Real Madrid) €14-million (about $15,8-million)
3. Ronaldo (Brazil, Real Madrid) €11,7-million (about $13,2-million)
4. Rio Ferdinand (England, Manchester United) €9,62-million (about $10,8-million)
5. Alessandro Del Piero (Italy, Juventus) €9,55-million (about $10-million)
6. Hidetoshi Nakata (Japan, Parma) €9,36-million (about $10-million)
7. Raul Gonzalez (Spain, Real Madrid) €9,3-million (about $10-million)
8. Patrick Vieria (France, Arsenal) €9,28-million (about $10-million)
9. Michael Owen (England, Liverpool) € 8,9-million (about $10-million)
10. Roy Keane (Ireland, Manchester United) € 8,65-million (about $9-million)
11. Luis Figo (Portugal, Real Madrid) €8,6-million (about $9-million)
12. Gabriel Batistuta (Argentina, Inter Milan) €8,6-million (about $9-million)
13. Sol Campbell (England, Arsenal) €8,1-million (about $9-million)
14. Oliver Kahn (Germany, Bayern Munich) €7,65-million (about $9-million)
14. Alvaro Recoba (Uruguay, Inter Milan) €7,6-million (about $8-million)
16. Francesco Totti (Italy, Roma) €7,3-million (about $8-million)
17. Rivaldo (Brazil, AC Milan) €7,2-million (about $8-million)
18. Thierry Henry (France, Arsenal) €6,6-million (about $7-million)
19. Fabio Cannavaro (Italy, Inter Milan) €6,08-million (about $7-million)
20. Paolo Maldini (Italy, AC Milan) €6-million (about $6-million) – Sapa-AFP