The following is from 2005 (all the figures must be in gross). Curiously no Milan players are listed, but I am fairly sure that our players are amongst the best paid in the world. So in conclusion, I think Kaka probably makes 8 million gross at Milan.
English soccer star David Beckham is the highest-paid player in the world, according to a report published in Tuesday's edition of France Football magazine.
The 29-year-old midfielder, who plays in Spain's La Liga (first division) with Real Madrid, makes 6.4 million euros ($10.3 million Cdn) a season. Although that is not soccer's highest yearly wage, the English national team captain pulls in 25 million euros ($40.3 million Cdn) a year thanks to commercial endorsements and image rights.
Beckham's Real Madrid teammates, Brazilian striker Ronaldo (19.6 million euros , $31.6 million Cdn) and Frenchman Zinedine Zidane (13 million euros, $30 million Cdn), rank second and third on the annual rich list, respectively.
Michael Owen, Ronaldo and David Beckham. (AP/Alvaro Barrientos)
Michael Owen, Ronaldo and David Beckham. (AP/Alvaro Barrientos)
Coming in fourth and fifth are a pair of Italian players: Inter Milan striker Christian Vieri, 12 million euros ($19.4 million Cdn), and Alessandro Del Piero of Juventus, at 9.5 million euros ($15.3 million Cdn).
Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard earns the highest annual wage in soccer, 7.6 million euros ($12.3 million Cdn) a season, but limited endorsements mean his overall income is 9.4 million euros ($15.2 million Cdn), good enough for only sixth on the list.
Real Madrid striker Raul (9.3 million euros, $15 million Cdn), French forward Thierry Henry of Arsenal (9.2 million euros, $14.9 million Cdn), English defender John Terry of Chelsea (8.6 million euros, $14 million Cdn), and Portuguese midfielder Luis Figo of Real Madrid (8.5 million euros, $13.8 million Cdn) round out the top 10.
France Football is a bi-weekly magazine that covers soccer from all over the globe and is considered one of the most reputed sports publications in Europe.
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2005/...ham050503.html