Messi tops Beckham to become best-paid footballer

Barcelona's Lionel Messi has deposed David Beckham to top France Football's list of the highest-paid players. The Argentina forward is said to have made euro33 million ($44 million) last year.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi has deposed David Beckham to top France Football's list of the highest-paid players. The Argentina forward is said to have made euro33 million ($44 million) last year.

HT Image

Beckham, who has been first or second in each of the last nine years, took home euro30.4 million ($40.5 million) in 2009, according to the report.

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo was third with euro30 million ($40 million), while teammate Kaka was a distant fourth with euro18.8 million ($25 million). Thierry Henry was fifth with euro18 million ($24 million).

France Football, which has ranked the best-paid players since 1999, calculated the figures based on salary and endorsements.