Lionel Messi tops Cristiano Ronaldo as world's richest footballer

Argentine Messi missed out on move away from Barcelona, but still top earner

Published: September 15, 2020 12:04 Matthew Smith, Sport Editor

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Lionel Messi was denied a potentially money-spinning move away from Barcelona this month after a contract-dispute but the Argentine maestro remains the world's richest footballer. According to a list compiled by Forbes, Messi's total earnings this year are $126 million - $92 million from his salary and $34 million in endorsements. Not surprisingly Cristiano Ronaldo comes in second although earnings of $117 million will soften the blow for the Juventus forward, as will his status as the most followed footballer in the world on social media. Neymar comes in third on the Forbes list with his Paris St-Germain team mate, 21-year-old Kylian Mbappe, up in fourth spot. Here is a list of the top 10 earners: Image Credit: AFP

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Lionel Messi (Barcelona and Argentina): $126m Image Credit: AFP

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Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus and Portugal): $117m Image Credit: Reuters

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Neymar (Paris St-Germain and Brazil): $96m Image Credit: AFP

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Kylian Mbappe (Paris St-Germain and France): $42m Image Credit: Reuters

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Mo Salah (Liverpool and Egypt): $37m Image Credit: AP

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Paul Pogba (Manchester United and France): $34m Image Credit: AFP

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Antoine Griezmann (Barcelona and France): $33m Image Credit: Reuters

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Gareth Bale (Real Madrid and Wales): $29m Image Credit: AP

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Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich and Poland): $28m Image Credit: AFP

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David de Gea (Manchester United and Spain): £27m Image Credit: AP

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