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Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo was today named the world’s richest footballer after topping the annual list of players’ net worth compiled by global football media title Goal.com.
Ronaldo just held off FC Barcelona rival Lionel Messi in the Goal Rich List 2014 with an estimated wealth of €148 million.
Ronaldo counts many successes in the past 12 months, scoring all four goals as Portugal beat Sweden in the World Cup play-offs, landing the 2013 Ballon d’Or, and signing a record-breaking new 5-year deal with Madrid.
Messi came in second on the Goal Rich List after inspiring Barcelona to the Spanish title and signing up for a range of lucrative endorsements.
The Goal Rich List is collated by a team of analysts and takes into account all streams of revenue for active footballers over the course of their careers.
Ronaldo succeeds David Beckham who topped the 2013 Goal Rich List but called time on his playing career in May 2013.
Following Messi on the list is Chelsea striker Samuel Eto’o , who earned millions in at Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala, which he played for before signing with Chelsea.
Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney makes the top four on the list following Manchester United’s decision to offer him the biggest contract in British football history, worth €365,000 a week.
Taking the fifth spot is AC Milan attacking midfielder Kaka, followed by FC Barcelona’s Neymar, whose controversial transfer from Santos FC saw him rise sharply in the standings to sixth, with his parents’ €40m ‘compensation’ payment included in Goal’s figures due to its game-changing significance.
Rounding out the top ten are Atletico Mineiro midfielder Ronaldinho, Paris St-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, and New York Red Bulls striker Thierry Henry.
Goal Rich List 2014 – Top 10
1. Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid: €148m (£122m)
2. Lionel Messi, Barcelona: €146m (£120.5m)
3. Samuel Eto’o, Chelsea: €85m (£70m)
4. Wayne Rooney, Manchester United: €84m (£69m)
5. Kaka, AC Milan: €82m (£67.5m)
6. Neymar & family, Barcelona: €80m (£66m)
7. Ronaldinho, Atletico Mineiro: €78m (£64m)
8. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paris St-Germain: €69m (£57m)
9. Gianluigi Buffon, Juventus: €63m (£52m)
10. Thierry Henry, New York Red Bulls: €57m (£47m)
Photo from Cristiano Ronaldo’s official Facebook page
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