Top 10 paid footballers in the world.

According to recent reports, Lionel Messi is set to sign a new long-term contract with Barcelona, which is said to be worth an estimated £37m per year. A deal that will make him the world’s best paid footballer.

At present, below is the list of the top 10 paid footballers.

10. Neymar – Barcelona – £5.8 million-a-year
Despite the saga surrounding the transfer of Brazilian Wonderkid, Naymar, the 21-year old still completed his move from Santos to Barcelona. Although the exact salary that Neymar receives from Barcelona is still being investigated by Spanish authorities, you can rest assured, it will be a luxurious one.

9. Didier Drogba – Galatasaray – £6.38m-a-year
Shortly after tasting Champions League glory with Chelsea, Drogba made the surprise switch the Turkish giants, via an ill-advised transfer to the Super Lig. Despite taking a wage-cut, Drogba still earns an estimated £6 .38 million a year.

continue after the cut...



8. Wayne Rooney – Manchester United – £6.54m-a-year
Next in this list, is the highest paid player in the Premier League, Wayne Rooney. The Manchester United striker recently signed a four-year contract extension, which will earn him a cool £6.54m net every year.

7. Andres Iniesta and Xavi – Barcelona – £6.66m-a-year
Tied in seventh place is Barcelona’s midfield duo, Andres Iniesta and Xavi. Despite the 56-per-cent tax rate of tax being levelled against the country’s highest earners, this clearly hasn’t impacted the biggest names in Spanish football from earning vast amounts of money.

6. Gareth Bale – Real Madrid – £7.8m-a-year
Recently crowned the world’s most expensive player, Gareth Bale has seen his salary explode to around £7.8m-a-year, which is a lot more than he was earning with Tottenham Hotspur.

5. Lionel Messi – Barcelona – £8.75m-a-year
Despite the rumours that Messi may be about to become the world’s highest-paid, at this moment in time, the Barcelona superstar only the world’s fifth highest paid footballer.

4. Thiago Silva – Paris Saint Germain- £10m-a-year
The newly rich Paris Saint-Germain has managed to attract a plethora of the world’s best players, by tempting them with astronomical pay-days. One of those lucky players is Brazilian defender, Thiago Silva. Despite the fact France’s top-end tax levels are currently 45 per cent, Silva still pockets around £10m-a-year net.

3. Radamel Falcao – AS Monaco – £11.66m-a-year
France’s current tax situation could rip Ligue 1 apart; however, one club which appears immune to these tax problems is AS Monaco. The principality is famous for its tax-free laws and luxurious lifestyle, which has enabled them to pay Radamel Falcao a mesmerising £11.66m-a-year.

2. Cristiano Ronaldo – Real Madrid – £11.87m-a-year
Reportedly the world’s highest-paid player is Cristiano Ronaldo, according to gross salary figures is. However, due to Spain’s high tax laws, this year’s Ballon d’O winner is officially the second highest paid footballer.

1. Zlatan Ibrahimovic – Paris Saint-Germain – £12.08m-a-year 

Top of the tree of the world’s best paid players is Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Swedish international picks up an estimated £12.08m-a-year at Paris Saint-Germain. Despite the fact France’s tax rates are on the verge of rocketing to about 75-per-cent in the coming months, this won’t upset Ibrahimovic’s too much though, as Paris Saint Germain are rumoured to be covering his tax contribution.