Top five highest paid footballers in the world

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo lead the list of the top paid footballers in the world.

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Lionel Messi The Argentine great couldn't bag the Ballon d'Or in 2018, but sat atop in annual earnings, ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo. According to France Football, he leads the money charts with a yearly earning of 130 million euros. Photo: AFP ▲

Cristiano Ronaldo With a yearly earning of 113 million euros, Ronaldo stands second. Having had glittering stints with Manchester United, and Real Madrid, Ronaldo secured a lucrative move to Juventus in 2018. Photo: Getty Images ▲

Neymar The Brazilian maverick with a yearly earning of 91.5 million is third in the list of highest paid footballers in the world. Paris Saint-Germain secured Neymar's services for a world fee of 222 million euros in 2017. Photo: AFP ▲

With a yearly earning of 44 million euros, Antoine Griezmann sits in the fourth spot. He was one of the key players in the World Cup winning French squad. Photo: AFP ▲

Gareth Bale Gareth Bale makes the top five with a yearly earning of 40.2 million euros. Bale helped Real Madrid win the Champions League with a spectacular bicycle kick against Liverpool in 2018. Photo: AFP ▲