That’s all changed now and professional soccer players are raking in millions in annual salaries as well as endorsements.
According to Forbes, these are the top 10 paid soccer players in the world:
- 10. Paul Pogba Manchester United / France Earnings : $21.2 million Salary & bonus : $17.2 million
- 9. James Rodriguez Real Madrid / Colombia Earnings : $21.9 million Salary & bonus : $14.9 million
- 8. Sergio Aguero Manchester City / Argentina Earnings : $22.6 million Salary & bonus : $14.6 million
- 7. Luis Suarez Barcelona / Uruguay Earnings : $23.3 million Salary & bonus : $17.3 million
- 6. Wayne Rooney Manchester United / England Earnings : $23.6 million Salary & bonus : $17.6 million
- 5. Zlatan Ibrahimovic Manchester United / Sweden Earnings : $32 million Salary & bonus : $27 million
- 4. Gareth Bale Real Madrid / Wales Earnings : $34 million Salary & bonus : $23 million
- 3. Neymar Jr Barcelona / Brazil Earnings : $37 million Salary & bonus : $15 million
- 2. Lionel Messi Barcelona / Argentina Earnings : $80 million Salary & bonus : $53 million
- 1. Cristiano Ronaldo Real Madrid / Portugal Earnings : $93 million Salary & bonus : $58 million
Show your love for your favourite team with these team shirts
- Frank Lampard – Ferrari 612 Scaglietti – R3.4 Million