Skip to main content
Join The Club
- Join our community
17
Member Features
24/7
Access Available
5K+
Active Members
Live Q&A Sessions
Weekly interactive sessions
Member Competitions
Win exclusive prizes
Exclusive Content
Premium articles & videos
Early Access
First to see new features
Exclusive Newsletters
Football news direct to your inbox
Monthly Rewards
Surprise gifts & perks
GET CLUB ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your football news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
Get Club Access Quick

Join The Club for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation plus sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Background
Welcome to Fourfourtwo club !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Complete 1 quiz to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Football Quizzes

Football Quizzes

Quick quizzes for football fans.

Read Now
Football Crosswords

Football Crosswords

Football-themed crossword challenges.

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives
Find the subscription that suits you

Find the subscription that suits you

We’ve highlighted the subscriptions our members get the most value from.

Explore

Sign Out
FourFourTwo FourFourTwo FOOTBALL NEWS, FEATURES, QUIZZES
UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia US EditionUS CA EditionCanada KR Edition대한민국 TR EditionTürkiye
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Soccer Cleat Buying Guides
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Video
  • Features
  • Quizzes
  • Clubs
  • Membership
  • More
    • Interviews
    • Opinion
    • The Magazine Archive
    • Subscribe
    • How to Watch
    • About
    • Lists
FourFourTwo Magazine
FourFourTwo Magazine
Why subscribe?
  • Subscribe today and receive the World Cup preview issue for FREE
  • Fascinating feature articles, covering everything from grass-roots football to the international scene
  • 'ACCESS ALL AREAS' pass to exclusive interviews with the biggest and best names in the game!
From$29.99
Save 36%
Subscribe now
Don't miss these
The Stretford End stand at Old Trafford
Team Manchester United 'in talks' over summer loan move for forward: report
Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates with the FIFA World Cup trophy during celebrations after an international friendly match between Argentina and Panama at Estadio Más Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti on March 23, 2023 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Player Which records will Lionel Messi break at World Cup 2026?
Ballon d'Or: Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona holds up the FIFA Ballon d'Or trophy prior to the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Athletic Club de Bilbao at Camp Nou on January 17, 2016 in Barcelona, Spain.
Quiz Quiz! Can you name every Ballon d'Or top 10 of the 2000s?
Thierry Henry celebrates after scoring for France against the Netherlands at Euro 2008.
Player Ranked! The 10 best French players ever
Match the facts quiz
Quiz Quiz! Can you match these 40 players to these facts?
Evan Ferguson of AS Roma celebrates after scoring the team's third goal during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Genoa CFC at Stadio Olimpico on December 29, 2025 in Rome, Italy.
Products & Kit Football Manager 26: The 10 best overpowered strikers in the game
The 10 best German players ever  1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy Lothar Matthaeus * 21.03.1961 Football player, Germany, member of the national team - Lothar Matthaeus (left) celebrating after scoring a goal in the first round match against Yugoslavia (4 - 1)| right: Juergen Klinsmann - (Photo by Bernd Wende/ullstein bild via Getty Images)
Player Ranked! The 10 best German players ever
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo
Player Which records will Cristiano Ronaldo break at World Cup 2026?
Ronaldinho celebrates, The 10 best Brazilian players ever
Player Ranked! The 10 best Brazilian players ever
Combo image of Argentina captains Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona lifting the World Cup trophy, in 2022 and 1986 respectively.
Player Ranked! The 20 best Argentina players of all time
Harry Kane celebrating
Player Here are some of the incredible records Harry Kane has broken this season - with more milestones to follow
Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma
Competition The 10 best players who won't be at World Cup 2026
European Golden Shoe contender Harry Kane of FC Bayern Munich
Player What is the European Golden Shoe, how does it work and who are the contenders to win it?
Best Premier League players
Competition Ranked! The 50 best Premier League players this season
The Ballon d'Or trophy is displayed during a press conference to present the new Ballon d'Or trophy, on the outskirts of Paris, on September 19, 2019
Player Ballon d'Or 2026 power rankings: The latest front-runners to lift football's most prestigious individual prize
Trending
  • ✍️ Salah to announce next club 'within days'
  • 🚨 Chelsea star out for months
  • Ronaldo
  • EPL
  • Interviews
  • Transfers
  • Messi
  1. Person
  2. Player

These are the footballers in Forbes's highest-paid athletes list of 2017

Features
By Greg Lea published 19 October 2017

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

9. James Rodriguez, $21.9m (91st overall)

9. James Rodriguez, $21.9m (91st overall)

The year was not a particularly happy one for James on the pitch, but the Colombian's earnings haven't been majorly affected by his struggles for game time at Real Madrid. He pocketed $21.9m across the 12 months, which places him above basketball star Klay Thompson and stock car racing driver Jimmie Johnson in the rankings. Vroom!

Page 1 of 9
Page 1 of 9
8. Sergio Aguero, $22.6m (80th overall)

8. Sergio Aguero, $22.6m (80th overall)

Aguero is on the brink of becoming Manchester City's all-time highest goalscorer, and has been well renumerated by the club in the last year, receiving a salary (which includes bonuses) of $14.6m. The Argentina international has also made $8m from endorsements, which is enough for him to squeeze into the top 80.

Page 2 of 9
Page 2 of 9
7. Luis Suarez, $23.3m (71st overall)

7. Luis Suarez, $23.3m (71st overall)

The Barcelona striker was the seventh-highest-paid footballer in the world over the last 12 months, banking $23.3m in total - $17.3m of which was from his salary, with an additional $6m received for endorsements from sponsors such as adidas, Pepsi and Samsung.

Page 3 of 9
Page 3 of 9
6. Wayne Rooney, $23.6m (70th overall)

6. Wayne Rooney, $23.6m (70th overall)

Rooney is likely to slide down this list next year after swapping Manchester United for Everton, but his $17.6m salary in 2016 keeps him comfortably in the top 100. The former England captain, who placed 49th in Forbes' previous list, sits ahead of basketballer Bradley Beal and American Football star Matt Kalil.

Page 4 of 9
Page 4 of 9
5. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, $32m (30th overall)

5. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, $32m (30th overall)

Ibrahimovic may be approaching the end of his playing career, but he shows no signs of slowing down when it comes to making money. The Manchester United striker was paid $27m in salary and bonuses in 2016, while he also earned a further $5m from endorsements - enough to rank him above tennis aces Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray.

Page 5 of 9
Page 5 of 9
4. Gareth Bale, $34m (24th overall)

4. Gareth Bale, $34m (24th overall)

Bale won the Champions League with Real Madrid and reached the semi-finals of Euro 2016 with Wales last year, when he also made $34m - more than all but three of the world's footballers. The former Tottenham star was paid the same amount as Conor McGregor and fell just short of Usain Bolt and Jordan Spieth.

Page 6 of 9
Page 6 of 9
3. Neymar, $37m (18th overall)

3. Neymar, $37m (18th overall)

Neymar is likely to climb further up the overall rankings in 12 months' time following his world-record transfer to PSG, but the former Barcelona forward didn't exactly do badly in 2016. Indeed, only 17 sportspeople made more money than the Brazilian, who actually received more for endorsements ($22m) than he did in salary ($15m).

Page 7 of 9
Page 7 of 9
2. Lionel Messi, $80m (3rd overall)

2. Lionel Messi, $80m (3rd overall)

Messi finished second in last year's overall list, with his earnings dropping by $1.4m this time around. He's therefore been overtaken by basketball legend LeBron James, but the Argentine comfortably remains in the top three, having received $16m more than fourth-placed Roger Federer over the last 12 months.

Page 8 of 9
Page 8 of 9
1. Cristiano Ronaldo, $93m (1st overall)

1. Cristiano Ronaldo, $93m (1st overall)

No sportsperson on the planet is paid more than Ronaldo, who took home a cool $93m in 2016. The Real Madrid man, who swiftly followed topping this list by winning a fifth Ballon d'Or, may not earn as much in endorsements as the likes of Roger Federer, Tiger Woods and LeBron James, but at $58m his salary is higher than anyone else on the list. In fact, only J.K. Rowling beats him for European celebrities.

Page 9 of 9
Page 9 of 9
TOPICS
Real Madrid Barcelona Everton PSG Manchester United
Greg Lea
Greg Lea
Social Links Navigation

Greg Lea is a freelance football journalist who's filled in wherever FourFourTwo needs him since 2014. He became a Crystal Palace fan after watching a 1-0 loss to Port Vale in 1998, and once got on the scoresheet in a primary school game against Wilfried Zaha's Whitehorse Manor (an own goal in an 8-0 defeat).

Read more
Barcelona's Brazilian forward Neymar leaves the pitch at the end of first half during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg football match FC Barcelona vs Paris Saint-Germain FC at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on March 8, 2017.
Quiz Quiz! Can you name the 50 biggest transfers ever in football?
 
 
Cristiano Ronaldo in action for Al-Nassr against Al-Fayha in February 2024.
Player Why Cristiano Ronaldo has gone 'on strike' at Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr as reason for unhappiness revealed
 
 
Best Premier League players
Competition Ranked! The 50 best Premier League players this season
 
 
European Golden Shoe contender Harry Kane of FC Bayern Munich
Player What is the European Golden Shoe, how does it work and who are the contenders to win it?
 
 
The Ballon d'Or trophy is displayed during a press conference to present the new Ballon d'Or trophy, on the outskirts of Paris, on September 19, 2019
Player Ballon d'Or 2026 power rankings: The latest front-runners to lift football's most prestigious individual prize
 
 
Cristiano Ronaldo stares into the distance
Person Cristiano Ronaldo's thousand goal stare
 
 
Latest in Player
Matheus Cunha of Manchester United controls the ball during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on March 01, 2026 in Manchester, England.
Player Is Matheus Cunha injured? Latest on Manchester United forward's fitness
 
 
Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber
Player Is Jurrien Timber injured? Arsenal defender's fitness latest
 
 
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah is on his farewell tour
Player Is Mohamed Salah injured this weekend? Liverpool forward fitness latest
 
 
Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, applauds the fans after the Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal at Etihad Stadium on April 19, 2026 in Manchester, England.
Player Arsenal dealt injury news ahead of Champions League semi-final second leg
 
 
Carlos Vinicius covers his eyes
Player Ex-Tottenham striker misses THREE penalties in six minutes in horror show
 
 
Leah Williamson signs a new contract with Arsenal at Sobha Realty Training Centre on April 30, 2026 in London Colney, England.
Player Leah Williamson reflects on her 20-year Arsenal journey as she signs new contract
 
 
Latest in Features
Michael Skubala, head coach of Lincoln City during the Sky Bet League One match between Doncaster Rovers and Lincoln City at The Eco-Power Stadium on April 21, 2026 in Doncaster, United Kingdom
Coaches & Managers How Michael Skubala’s Family History and Coaching Influences Shaped His Success at Lincoln City
 
 
Brighton & Hove Albion's women's stadium
Team Is Brighton's new stadium a first in Europe? What the Seagulls are getting so right
 
 
Windsor Park will host the Irish Cup final
Competition How to watch Coleraine vs Dungannon Swifts: Free streams & TV details
 
 
London City Lionesses celebrate with the Barclays Women's Championship trophy after London City Lionesses win the Barclays Women's Championship after Birmingham City and London City Lionesses
Competition WSL 2 title race and promotion set for final-day drama: everything you need to know
 
 
Barcelona x Olivia Rodrigo
Team Olivia Rodrigo set for El Clasico debut - on Barcelona’s shirt
 
 
Leah Williamson of Arsenal during the UEFA Women's Champions League 2025/26 Semi-Final First Leg match between Arsenal FC and OL Lyonnes at Arsenal Stadium on April 26, 2026
Competition How to watch Lyon vs Arsenal - Free Streams, TV Details for UWCL semi-final
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Tottenham Hotspur
    1
    ‘Not winning a trophy at Spurs hurt because of the momentum that built around us, but those years should still be spoken about as a huge success’ Mauricio Pochettino on reflects on his Tottenham successes
  2. 2
    ‘The players never paid attention to the pressure at Arsenal, it was just outside noise. But Wenger had been dealing with it for years’ Rob Holding on how Arsene Wenger prepared his players
  3. 3
    How to watch Arsenal vs Fulham for FREE: Live streams and TV details as the Gunners look to go six points clear of Man City
  4. 4
    Can I watch Wolves vs Sunderland on TV? Stream info for 3pm Premier League clash
  5. 5
    ‘I was next to Graeme Souness when he planted the Galatasaray flag in Fenerbahce’s pitch and was thinking, ‘Oh boy, this isn’t going to go down well’ Brad Friedel on Souness’ infamous flag plant

FourFourTwo is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About FourFourTwo
  • Advertise with us
  • Worldwide
  • How to pitch to FourFourTwo

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...