Lionel Messi tops Cristiano Ronaldo as world's richest footballer

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:

Lionel Messi (Barcelona and Argentina): $126m

Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus and Portugal): $117m

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

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

Mo Salah (Liverpool and Egypt): $37m

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

Antoine Griezmann (Barcelona and France): $33m

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

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

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