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#2 Cristiano Ronaldo- €54 million
Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the best players in the game of football and rightfully finds his place on this list despite turning 35 recently. The Portuguese left Real Madrid after nine long years and joined Juventus in 2018. It is understood that the five-time Ballon d'Or winner took a pay cut to join the Italians but despite that, he still manages to pocket €4.5 million gross per month in wages which takes his annual tally to €54 million.
The former Real Madrid man is in scintillating form for the Bianconeri despite a sluggish start to the season. He is currently on an eleven-game scoring streak in Serie A and has 21 goals to his name in 21 league appearances so far.
Ronaldo will be looking to carry over his league form to the Champions League where his side needs to overcome a 1-0 deficit against Lyon in the second leg to progress to the quarter-finals of the competition.
#1 Lionel Messi- €100 million
Lionel Messi is currently the highest-paid player in the world of football. The Argentine pockets €8.3 million gross per month in wages from FC Barcelona which takes his yearly tally to €100 million.
The six-time Ballon d'Or winner is in a league of his own. With the Blaugrana struggling to find consistency this season, the captain has been leading the charge upfront. Despite hitting rough patches this term, the 32-year-old has been the Catalan club's best player by a mile. Messi already has 18 goals and 12 assists to his name in just 20 appearances in La Liga.
The 32-year-old has been bearing the entire weight of Barcelona's attack for a while now and with Ousmane Dembele and Luis Suarez out for the rest of the season, the responsibility once again lies with him.
With Barca preparing another contract for their talisman, the figures may skyrocket even further.
Also Read: 10 best forwards of the decade
