|
Featured Links
84 Soccer Coaching Drills For Coaches - CLICK HERE To Download Now!
Animated Soccer Drills & Coaching Software - Get FREE Instant Access
Top Professional Soccer Player Salaries
3/30/06 Source: Forbes.com
Read more: Major League Soccer - Player & Team Salaries
Would you like to get an idea of what some of the greatest soccer players in the world earn for their skills? Scan some of the stars below for their paychecks, with a thanks to Forbes for the numbers.
David Beckham
$32 million
Real Madrid
The midfielder was rumored to have been approached for a Calvin Klein deal after he revealed he buys 60 pairs of C.K. underwear each month.
Ronaldo
$23 million
Real Madrid
Though the striker's on-pitch performance has been lackluster of late, he's still considered a key to the success of the Brazilian national team at this summer's World Cup.
Zinedine Zidane
$19 million
Real Madrid
"Zizou" came out of retirement from international competition to bolster the French national team for the upcoming World Cup.
Ronaldinho
$14 million
Barcelona
The Brazilian superstar recently had his contract extended until 2010 and was named FIFA's World Player of the Year for a second-consecutive year.
Francesco Totti
$13.5 million
AS Roma
The flashy forward was promised a spot on Italy's World Cup team despite breaking his leg earlier this year.
Michael Owen
$13 million
Newcastle United
The striker left Real Madrid for Newcastle United before this season to gain more playing time and to have a better shot at being selected to England's World Cup side.
Frank Lampard
$12.5 million
Chelsea
The Blues' midfielder has played in a record 164 consecutive games in the England's Premiership.
Oliver Kahn
$11 million
Bayern Munich
Since being named Best Player of the 2002 World Cup, the German goalkeeper has struggled between the uprights.
Raul
$10.5 million
Real Madrid
Los Galatico's captain recently played his 400th game after 12 years with the team.
Alessandro Del Piero
$10.5 million
Juventus
The prolific forward became the club's all-time leading scorer this year with 183 goals.
Michael Ballack
$10 million
Bayern Munich
Germany's captain could become the world's highest-paid player when his contract with Bayern Munich expires this summer.
Thierry Henry
$10 million
Arsenal
The Gunners' captain broke Arsenal's all-time scoring record earlier this season when he netted his 186th goal in a 2-0 win at Sparta Prague.
John Terry
$10 million
Chelsea
The dominating defender signed a new contract through 2009 and has a lucrative endorsement deal with Umbro.
Wayne Rooney
$10 million
Manchester United
The 20-year-old phenom recently added Harper Collins to his growing list of sponsors by signing a 12-year, $9-million book deal.
Ruud van Nistelrooy
$9 million
Manchester United
The Dutch striker is a FIFA ambassador for SOS Children's Villages--a charity for orphaned children.
Christian Vieri
$8 million
AS Monaco
Still one of Europe's best strikers, "Bobo" switched teams twice in the last 12 months and took a pay cut in hopes of securing a place on the Italy's World Cup team.
Patrick Vieira
$8 million
Juventus
His current team paid $24 million to snag the French midfielder from Arsenal, where he had played for nine seasons.
Luis Figo
$7.5 million
Inter Milan
A member of Portugal's "golden generation," the midfielder had one year left on his contract with Real Madrid but was allowed to leave after a falling out with the coach over playing time.
Rio Ferdinand
$7.5 million
Manchester United
The defender continues to criticize the Union of European Football Association for not enough action in combating racism in soccer.
Sol Campbell
$7 million
Arsenal
Injuries and personal problems have diminished the 31-year-old defender's on-field performance this season.
Source: Forbes.com
|