PARIS (AP) — Barcelona’s Lionel Messi has deposed David Beckham to top France Football’s list of the soccer players who earn the most.
The Argentina forward, the reigning FIFA player of the year, is said to have made $44 million last year in salary and endorsement income. Beckham, who has been first or second in each of the last nine years, took home $40.5 million in 2009, according to the report Wednesday.
Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo, the 2008 FIFA player of the year, was third with $40 million, while teammate Kaka, the 2007 FIFA player of the year, was fourth at $25 million, followed by Barcelona’s Thierry Henry at $24 million.
