What do world football's top stars earn?

27 November 2015 12:31

Reports have claimed Manchester City are lining up a sensational move for Lionel Messi that would see the Barcelona superstar earn £800,000 per week.

The Argentina forward is already one of the world's highest-paid players but such a deal would land him an annual pay rise worth almost £9million per year. Here, Press Association Sport looks at the game's top-earning players.

Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid & Portugal)

Salary (including bonuses): £34.7million. Total earnings (including endorsements): £52.9million

Debate may rage over whether Ronaldo is a better player than Messi, but the Portuguese is currently the better paid.

Lionel Messi (Barcelona & Argentina)

Salary (including bonuses): £32.3million. Total earnings (including endorsements): £41.6million

Messi would catapult himself above Ronaldo in terms of earnings if such a move happened.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Paris St Germain & Sweden)

Salary (including bonuses): £23.8million. Total earnings (including endorsements): £27.8million

The powerful and prolific Swede is a star in the French capital and is well rewarded for it.

Gareth Bale (Real Madrid & Wales)

Salary (including bonuses): £16.9million. Total earnings (including endorsements): £23.1million

The former Tottenham star propelled himself into the big league with his world record £85.3million move to Real Madrid in 2013.

Neymar (Barcelona & Brazil)

Salary (including bonuses): £9.7million. Total earnings (including endorsements): £21million

The Brazilian star is well rewarded for his efforts at the Nou Camp but such is his marketability that he actually banks more in commercial income.

:: Source: Forbes.com. Based on figures for 2014 published earlier this year.

Source: PA