Saturday, June 06, 2009

Top Ten Highest Salary Paid Footballers in the World

This is the time of global economic crisis which has badly hurt the economy of almost every countrin the world to some extend. It is thought that worst days are yet to come. Despite the economic downturn, there are some European clubs who are paying a fortune to some of today’s star football (soccer) players in the world. Well, I am not saying that they don’t deserve the amount they are being paid, but I wonder how the clubs like AC Milan, Inter Milan and Chelsea are paying such a big amount amid the current condition of global economy.

Anyway, Futebol Finance has recently published a list of world’s top 50 highest paid footballers of 2008-09 season. You might get shocked to know that there is no player from English premier league in the top 3, even though English Premier League is believed to be the richest league in the world. Another thing that caught my attention is that there is no player from world’s richest club Real Madrid in the top ten. Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Kaka jointly take the no. 1 place in the list as both the players earn same amount. There are some other cases where two players secure the same position in the list in terms of their salary. Here, I am going to give you some details about the players who secure the top ten places in the list. In fact, there are 21 players who share the top ten places in terms of their annual salary.

1. Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Country: Sweden

Club: Inter Milan (Italy)

Playing Position: Striker

Age: 27

Earning: € 9,000,000 (Annual), € 750,000 (Monthly), £ 166,000 (Weekly)

The excellent striker has been instrumental behind Inter Milan’s triumph in Serie A last season (2007-08). With his technique and tactics, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has already become one of the great footballers Sweden has ever produced. Ibrahimovic joined Inter Milan in 2006 and since then he helped Inter to win back-to-back titles in domestic league and has won the Italian Super Cup last year with Inter Milan. Naturally, Inter Milan is paying him the amount which only matches with city rival AC Milan’s Brazilian striker Kaka.

1. Ricardo Kaka

Country: Brazil

Club: AC Milan (Italy)

Playing Position: Forward

Age: 26

Earning: € 9,000,000 (Annual), € 750,000 (Monthly), £ 166,000 (Weekly)

The Brazilian is one of best footballers in the world at this moment. Winner of the FIFA World Player of the Year 2007 and European Footballer of the Year 2007 awards, Kaka has an uncanny ability to score against any opposition. Kaka is currently one of the two leading strikers in Brazil national team. Since moving to AC Milan from Sao Paulo in 2003, Kaka has won Serie A and Italian Super Cup titles in 2004 as well as UEFA Champions League and UEFA Super Cup in 2007 for the Italian giant. So, you can see that the Brazilian star deserves the amount which he is earning as salary at AC Milan. Kaka was one of the proud members of Brazil’s 2002 world cup winning team.

2. Lionel Messi

Country: Argentina

Club: Barcelona (Spain)

Playing Position: Winger/ Second Striker

Age: 21

Earning: € 8,400,000 (Annual), € 700,000 (Monthly), £ 156,000 (Weekly)

This Argentine super star is perhaps the best prospect of last season, even though his club Barcelona failed to shine at La Liga. However, it was Lionel Messi who was instrumental behind Barcelona’s trip to semi final at Champions League last season. Many think that Messi’s injury midway through the season cost Barcelona the domestic title. Since started representing the Catalan club at senior level, Messi has been an integral part of Barcelona squad as he helped Barcelona to win two La Liga titles in 2005 and 2006 and UEFA Champions League in 2006. To be honest, Messi is the brightest future for both Argentina and Barcelona and I am surprised at all to know that Messi is earning € 8,400,000 as annual salary from Barcelona. With Argentina, Messi won the gold medal at Beijing Olympic Games 2008.

3. John Terry

Country: England

Club: Chelsea (England)

Playing Position: Centre Back

Age: 28

Earning: € 7,575,000 (Annual), € 632,000 (Monthly), £ 140,000 (Weekly)

John Terry shares the distinction of being the highest paid footballer of English Premier League with Chelsea and England team mate Frank Lampard. Chelsea captain Terry might have missed the penalty kick that cost Chelsea the Champions League title last season, there is no doubt, Terry has played a big part of Chelsea’s rebirth as an European super power. Until last season, Terry made Chelsea defense a fearsome fortress in Europe. The former English captain won two premier league and two league cup titles with Chelsea and under his captaincy, Chelsea reached the Champions league final for the first time last season. Even though England did not fare well under his captaincy, there is no debate about his excellent contribution to England national team.

3. Frank Lampard

Country: England

Club: Chelsea (England)

Playing Position: Midfielder

Age: 30

Earning: € 7,575,000 (Annual), € 632,000 (Monthly), £ 140,000 (Weekly)

Frank Lampard is another player who played a significant role behind Chelsea’s rise a football power both in premier league as well as in Europe. Lampard holds the record of scoring highest number of goals for Chelsea among the currently active Chelsea players. With his creativity, technique and tactics coupled with his attacking intent, Lampard can be a constant threat for any opponent. Since moving to the West London club in 2001 from West Ham United, Frank Lampard has won two premier league, one FA Cup and two league cup titles for Chelsea. He was named in the Professional Footballers’ Association Team of the Year on three occasions (2004, 2005, 2006) in a row and became the UEFA Club Midfielder of the Year for 2007-08 season. In 2004 and 2005, Frank Lampard won the Chelsea Player of the Year award.

4. Thierry Henry

Country: France

Club: Barcelona (Spain)

Playing Position: Striker/ Winger

Age: 31

Earning: € 7,500,000 (Annual), € 625,000 (Monthly), £ 138,000 (Weekly)

With the record of highest Arsenal goal scorer ever, Thierry Henry moved to the Spanish giant Barcelona last season (2007) from Arsenal. No doubt, Barcelona fans did not see the best of him in his inaugural season with the Catalan club. However, Henry has started showing some of his best at Barcelona this season, though his Barcelona performance is far away to match his dominating Arsenal form. So, I think, Henry has not justified the amount he is being paid at Barcelona at this moment. However, he had a very successful stint with Arsenal and won 1998 world cup and Euro 2000 titles for France. So, Barcelona fans can expect something good from the striker in the years to come.

4. Samuel Eto’o

Country: Cameroon

Club: Barcelona (Spain)

Playing Position: Striker

Age: 27

Earning: € 7,500,000 (Annual), € 625,000 (Monthly), £ 138,000 (Weekly)

Since joining Barcelona in 2004, Samuel Eto’o has bad a very successful stint at the Catalan club with whom he won two La Liga titles and one Champions League (2005-06) title. He won the UEFA Champions League Best Forward 2006 award the same year Barcelona won the Champions League title. Samuel Eto’o holds the record of scoring highest goals in the history of Africa Cup of Nations and led his country to win the African Cup of Nations titles in 2000 and 2002 and the gold medal of Olympic Games 2000. Most importantly, the prominent striker bagged the African Player of the Year award for three years (2003, 2004 and 2005) on a row.

5. Cristiano Ronaldo

Country: Portugal

Club: Manchester United (England)

Playing Position: Winger

Age: 24

Earning: € 6,763,000 (Annual), € 564,000 (Monthly), £ 125,000 (Weekly)

To be honest, I think, Cristiano Ronaldo deserves more than what he is being paid by Manchester United at this moment. Given the kind of performance he has been showing over the last couple of seasons, I think, Cristiano Ronaldo should have been in the top three of this list. You can not deny that Ronaldo was instrumental behind Manchester United’s double (Premier League and Champions League) last season as the Portugal international became the highest goalscorer both in premier league as well as in Europe. Naturally, there is nothing to be surprised as Ronaldo bagged the European Footballer of the Year 2008 and FIFA World Player of the Year 2008 awards. I am sure Ronaldo would have been paid much bigger than the amount he is receiving at Manchester United now, had he moved to Real Madrid last Summer.

6. Ronadinho Gaucho

Country: Brazil

Club: AC Milan (Italy)

Playing Position: Attacking Midfielder

Age: 28

Earning: € 6,500,000 (Annual), € 542,000 (Monthly), £ 120,000 (Weekly)

The winner of two time FIFA world player of the year award, Ronadinho is not at his best at this moment, though there is no doubt about his class, talent and greatness. Just couple of seasons back, Ronadinho was the most threatening player for any opposition in the world, but now he is going through a rough patch of time. He moved to Italian giant AC Milan this season, ending a successful sting with Barcelona with whom he won two Spanish Liga titles (2005, 2006) and Champions League in 2006, the same year he was awarded the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year award. With Brazil national team, Ronadinho won 2002 world cup tournament.

6. Andrei Shevchenko

Country: Ukraine

Club: AC Milan (Italy)

Playing Position: Striker

Age: 32

Earning: € 6,500,000 (Annual), € 542,000 (Monthly), £ 120,000 (Weekly)

Andrei Shevchenko has already become a legendary figure of Ukraine football. The winner of European footballer of the year 2004 award, Shevchenko has moved back to AC Milan, following an unsuccessful stint with Chelsea. During his first stint with AC Milan, Shevchenko guided the Italian giants to win the Champions league title in 2003 and Serie A title the following season. He has an excellent ability of scoring and he is, in fact, the second highest goal scorer for AC Milan ever and is ranked fourth behind Filippo Inzaghi, Raul and Gerd Muller in the list of all time highest goal scorer of UEFA Champions League. Andrei Shevchenko is also the all time highest goalscorer for Ukraine.

6. Michael Ballack

Country: Germany

Club: Chelsea (England)

Playing Position: Midfielder

Age: 32

Earning: € 6,500,000 (Annual), € 542,000 (Monthly), £ 120,000 (Weekly)The captain of German national team could not show his best form at Chelsea yet since joining the club in 2006, though a spate of ankle injury must bear a large part of it. However, his record at German club Bayern Munich is the evident of his class, talent and ability as a creative midfielder. At Chelsea, Ballack won FA Cup title in 2007 and played the Champions League final in 2008. Under his captaincy, Germany reached the final of Euro 2008 where he lost to Spain. Three-time winner of German Footballer of the Year award (2002, 2003, 2005), Ballack became the best midfielder of Europe in 2002. Anyway, he is now at 32 and it is yet to be seen if he can show some of his best football at Chelsea in the years to come. Michael Ballack has been included among the FIFA’s 100 Greatest Living Players.

6. Steven Gerrard

Country: England

Club: Liverpool (England)

Playing Position: Midfielder

Age: 28

Earning: € 6,500,000 (Annual), € 542,000 (Monthly), £ 120,000 (Weekly)

The English midfielder has become the life of Liverpool midfielder for a long time. Many have already termed him the greatest ever Liverpool player in the history. The way Gerrard has consistently been contributing to the success of Liverpool for a long time, I think, he deserves a much better salary than the amount he is receiving at this moment. Under his captaincy, Liverpool won the UEFA Champions League title in 2005 and won the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year award for his excellent performance in 2004-05 season.

6. Rio Ferdinand

Country: England

Club: Manchester United (England)

Playing Position: Centre Back

Age: 30

Earning: € 6,500,000 (Annual), € 542,000 (Monthly), £ 120,000 (Weekly)

Rio Ferdinand joined Manchester United from Leeds United in 2002 for a record breaking deal worth £30 million and since then, he has become an integral part of United squad and has had a huge contribution to the success of Manchester United. With Manchester United, Ferdinand won three premier league titles (2002–03, 2006–07, 2007–08), and Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup title in 2008. So, I think, he deserves the amount he is being paid by Manchester United.

7. Raul Gonzalez

Country: Spain

Club: Real Madrid (Spain)

Playing Position: Striker (Second Striker)

Age: 31

Earning: € 6,400,000 (Annual), € 533,000 (Monthly), £ 118,000 (Weekly)

Raul Gonzalez has already become one of the greatest Spanish footballers of all time and a legend at Real Madrid. At 31, he is still a prolific goal scorer at Real Madrid with whom he won six La Liga titles along with 3 Champions League titles. Raul won the UEFA Club Football Award for Best Forward on three occasions (2000, 2001 and 2002) and was nominated for FIFA World Player of the Year and European Footballer of the Year award in 2001. From 1996 to 2006, Raul was the leading striker for Spain national team. He is the all time leading goalscorer of UEFA Champions League.

7. Ruud van Nistelrooy

Country: Netherlands

Club: Real Madrid (Spain)

Playing Position: Striker

Age: 32

Earning: € 6,400,000 (Annual), € 533,000 (Monthly), £ 118,000 (Weekly)

The Dutch strike did not take long time to make an immediate impression at Real Madrid since his move to the Spain giant in 2006, following a very successful stint with Manchester United. In fact, Nistelrooy played an influential role behind Real Madrid’s back to back triumph in La Liga last two seasons. So, I think, Nistelrooy deserves the amount that he is getting at Real Madrid at this moment. He is the all time second highest goalscorer of Champions League, just behind Real teammate Raul, but interestingly, the Dutch strike has not won Champions league title yet. Ruud van Nistelrooy became the best club forward in Europe in 2002-03, the same season he became the highest goalscorer at Premier league for Manchester United.

8. Iker Casillas

Country: Spain

Club: Real Madrid (Spain)

Playing Position: Goalkeeper

Age: 27

Earning: € 6,000,000 (Annual), € 500,000 (Monthly), £ 110,000 (Weekly)

Alongside Raul, Iker Casillas is another stock player for Real Madrid at this moment. The goalkeeper has been in revelation over the last couple of seasons and his goalkeeping was one of the reasons behind Real Madrid’s back-to-back success in La Liga over the last couple of seasons. He started at Real Madrid youth side and began representing Real Madrid senior side since 1999 and so far, he has been one of the key players at the club. To many, Iker Casillas is currently the best goalkeeper in the world. He won 4 La Liga titles and 2 Champions League titles with Real Madrid. Casillas is also the no. 1 goalkeeper of Spain national team with whom he won the Euro 2008 title. I think, Iker Casillas deserves a bit improved salary at Real Madrid.

8. Frederic Kanoute

Country: Mali

Club: Sevilla (Spain)

Playing Position: Striker

Age: 31

Earning: € 6,000,000 (Annual), € 500,000 (Monthly), £ 110,000 (Weekly)

Frederic Kanoute is not a very well-known name in world football and I guess, many of you even did not know about this Malian footballer before seeing this list. Well, he is currently playing at Sevilla and represents his country regularly. His form in recent years has been pretty impressive. In fact, the Malian international won the African Footballer of the Year award in 2007. With Sevilla, Frederic Kanoute won UEFA Cup in 2006 and 2007, and also helped Sevilla to win the UEFA Super Cup title in 2006 and Copa del Rey title in 2007. So, you should not be surprised to see his current salary at Sevilla. I think, he would have attracted many European clubs with big money offers, if he was not 31-year-old now.

8. Wayne Rooney

Country: England

Club: Manchester United (England)

Playing Position: Striker/ Second Striker

Age: 23

Earning: € 6,000,000 (Annual), € 500,000 (Monthly), £ 110,000 (Weekly)

There are many who already started terming the English sensation as one of the greatest Manchester Untied players. Well, I would not go that far, but there is no doubt that if Rooney can continue showing his current level of performance for another four or five seasons, he would definitely become one of the greatest footballers in the history of Manchester United. Since joining the club in 2004, he has been one of the most loyal players for the Red Devils, accepting any role he is asked to play at the United. Even sometimes, Rooney is seen playing at the defense when needed. With this creativity, talent and technique, Rooney played a big part behind Manchester United’s Premier League triumph over the last couple of seasons and was instrumental behind the Red Devils’ Champions League win last season. Actually, Rooney deserves a better salary at Manchester United.

8. Michael Owen

Country: England

Club: Newcastle United (England)

Playing Position: Forward

Age: 29

Earning: € 6,000,000 (Annual), € 500,000 (Monthly), £ 110,000 (Weekly)

Michael Owen is one of the best strikers of his generation. Though he has not been at his best over the last few seasons, Owen is still a very talented striker who could be lethal for defense with his great speed, skill and scoring ability. In fact, Michael Owen is currently the fourth highest goalscorer in the history of England football team. The former Liverpool striker is currently the captain of Newcastle United where he joined in 2005, following a mediocre stint at Real Madrid. Though he suffered a lot because of injury last few seasons, he has already showed some of his talent and skill at Newcastle United. Michael Owen won the European footballer of the year award in 2001.

9. Fabio Cannavaro

Country: Italy

Club: Real Madrid (Spain)

Playing Position: Centre Back

Age: 35

Earning: € 5,800,000 (Annual), € 483,000 (Monthly), £ 107,000 (Weekly)

Italy’s world cup winning captain Fabio Cannavaro is perhaps one of the best defenders of world football today. Cannavaro’s tremendous performance at Italy defense throughout the 2006 World Cup was instrumental behind Italy’s triumph in the tournament. He became the first ever defender to win the FIFA World Player of the Year in 2006. He joined Real Madrid in 2006 and played a big part behind the club’s La Liga success in the next two seasons (2006-07, 2007-08).

10. Robinho

Country: Brazil

Club: Manchester City (England)

Playing Position: Striker

Age: 25

Earning: € 5,680,000 (Annual), € 473,000 (Monthly), £ 105,000 (Weekly)

Robinho joined newly rich Manchester City last Summer (2008) from Real Madrid for a deal of €42.5m (£32.5m), breaking the British transfer record. Though many questioned about the justification of such a big buck deal, Robinho took little time to show some of his goalscoring talent at his new club. Winning two La Liga titles with Real Madrid may not reveal Robinho’s troublesome stint with the Real Madrid where he had to struggle to get into starting line up as he was reportedly out of favor of team manager Fabio Capello. Robinho represented Brazil in the 2006 world cup football, and won FIFA Confederations Cup title in 2005 and Copa America title in 2007 with Brazil national team. Well, time has not come yet to say if Robinho deserves the amount he is being paid at Manchester City at present.

12 comments:

  1. Anonymous4:34 AM

    Where does David Beckham come in?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous8:00 PM

    He'll make $6.5 Million with the LA Galaxy this year. That's about 4,660,000 Euros, which is well short on this list.

    MLS Salaries listed here:
    http://www.mlsplayers.org/salary_info.html

    ReplyDelete
  3. LIONEL MESSI should be d highest paid footballer............as no doubt abt his class and he is the only footballer present ,who can be compare with greats like maradona,etc.................................................and ronaldo FUCKS.

    ReplyDelete
  4. LIONEL MESSI should be d highest paid footballer............as no doubt abt his class and he is the only footballer present ,who can be compare with greats like maradona,etc.................................................and ronaldo FUCKS.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous4:33 AM

    wht of beec of la gallaxy this is not right

    ReplyDelete
  6. i would love to see lionel messi in the highest paid footballer in the world.Because he is the great and the best......

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous3:50 AM

    David Beckham not on list than this list is fake and Zlatan is not the highest paid

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous8:39 AM

    PLS UPDATE THE LIST

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous4:35 AM

    i would like to plead with the management of this website to update this list because am very interested.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous12:17 PM

    I want to see the latest salaries

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous8:27 PM

    where d fuck is david villa isnt he any good

    ReplyDelete
  12. great knowledge sharing post thanks to admin
    rsliberty.com/tag/highest-paid-footballer-weekly

    ReplyDelete