David Beckhams reign is over because Cristiano Ronaldo is now the richest footballer in the world with a total estimated earnings of £122 million. Beckham was named the richest footballer in 2013, earning £165 million but after his retirement, he was ousted for the contest for the yearly Goal Rich List.According to NDTV Sports, Ronaldo has not only ended Beckhams reign as the worlds richest footballer but the 28-year-old Portuguese athlete has also defeated long-time rival Lionel Messi. Ronaldo, who had beaten Messi in the coveted 2013 Ballon dOr Trophy, had beaten the Argentine footballer in terms of financial compensations as well. Ronaldos lucrative five-year contract with Real Madrid in 2013 and his huge Nike sponsorship deal add to his fortune. Cristiano Ronaldo has been named the worlds richest footballer after topping the annual list of players net worth compiled by Goal.The Real Madrid superstar held off Barcelona rival Lionel Messi in the Goal Rich List 2014 with an estimated wealth of €148 million.The Goal Rich List is collated by a team of analysts and takes into account all streams of revenue for active footballers over the course of their careers. Ronaldo succeeds David Beckham, who led the way on the 2013 list but called time on his playing career last May. Only current professionals are eligible with the earnings of more than 200 contenders assessed before Goals experts finalised the top 10. Ronaldo has enjoyed a remarkable 12 months in which his value to club and country has never been more evident.He scored all four goals as Portugal beat Sweden in the World Cup play-offs, landed the 2013 Ballon dOr and signed a record-breaking new five-year deal with Madrid.Messi came in second after inspiring Barcelona to the Spanish title and signing up for a range of lucrative endorsements. It was a mixed year for the Argentinian, however, who appeared in a Spanish court in September to testify over alleged tax fraud relating to commercial contracts and lost his grip on the Ballon dOr after a year blighted by injuries.Wayne Rooney makes the top four on the list following Manchester Uniteds decision to offer him the biggest contract in British football history, worth €365,000 a week. Neymars controversial transfer to Barcelona sees him rocket up the standings to sixth, with his parents €40m compensation payment included Goals figures due to its game-changing significance. The rest of the list is made up of global superstars, who have accrued huge wealth over significant spells at the top of the professional game.Samuel Etoo is at number three, ahead of Rooney, thanks largely to the millions he earned at Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala, with Kaka, Ronaldinho, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Gianluigi Buffon and Thierry Henry completing the top 10. Thierry Henrys glittering career has seen him collect winners medals for the World Cup, the Champions League, the Premier League and La Liga.But the French forward, 36, has not only been successful on the pitch, cashing in at the height of his fame with lucrative endorsements for global brands such as Nike, Renault and Gillette.Henry moved from Arsenal to Barcelona in 2007 for €20 million (£16m), signing a four-year deal with the Catalan club worth €5.6m (£4.6m) a season.Frances all-time leading scorer then eclipsed David Beckham as the highest paid player in the MLS when he joined New York Red Bulls in 2010.Although his base salary in 2013 dropped to €2.7m (£2.2m), with bonuses Henry is still estimated to earn €3.2m (£2.6m) per year playing for New York.Off the field, his wealth continues to grow as the public face of PUMA and he was central to the launch of the sportswear companys new evoPOWER boot in 2014.Henry also promotes Red Bull and has a string of business and stock market investments. His properties include a €6.8m (£5.6m) home in Hampstead, London, and a luxury apartment in New York that cost €11.1m (£9.2m) in 2010.
Posted on: Sat, 15 Mar 2014 02:48:26 +0000
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