Ronald and Messi top 2017 highest paid footballers list

CAIRO - 30 May 2017: Real Madrid's star Cristiano Ronaldo has once again beaten longstanding rival Lionel Messi to remain the highest paid football player for the 4th year in a row, with $93 million (payments, bonuses and sponsorships, according to Forbes Magazine annual list.

He made $58 million from his bonus payments, while the other $35 million of his earnings came from Nike and Tag Heuer deals and advertisements, as well as his own underwear line and other business ventures. This means he earns $255 000 per day, and equally $10,600 per hour.

Barcelona’s striker Lionel Messi came in the second place with $80 million, while Brazilian and Barcelona player Neymar Jr was a distant third with $37 million.

Here is the complete list for highest paid footballers for 2017:

1) Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) – $93 million

2) Lionel Messi (Barcelona) – $80 million

3) Neymar Jr (Barcelona) – $37 million

4) Gareth Bale (Real Madrid) – $34 million

5) Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Manchester United) – $27 million

6) Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) – $17.6 million

7) Luis Suarez (Barcelona) – $23.3 million

8) Sergio Aguero (Manchester City) – $22.6 million

9) James Rodriguez (Real Madrid) – $21.9 million

10) Paul Pogba (Manchester United) – $21.2 million