15) Mesut Ozil
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Arsenal’s creative engine, Mesut Ozil, is generally considered one of the best in his position and likewise earns a pretty good salary. He is also an integral part of the German national team and won the FIFA World Cup in 2014.
His earnings total up to an estimated $18 million, of which his Arsenal paycheck and winnings constitute $12 million.
He has a major endorsement deal with Adidas which forms a big part of $6 million he collects from his off-field engagements.
14) Thiago Silva
The Paris St Germain centre-back is considered one of the best in the world and that is why he was acquired from AC Milan and given a huge contract by the Parisiens.
He is the sole defender among the top 20 highest paid footballers in the world, with earnings totaling about $18 million. His salary and bonuses alone constitute $16 million of earnings.
The 32-year-old’s major sponsors are Nike and automobile giants Nissan. He bags a cool $2 million from his endorsement deals.
13) Radamel Falcao
In his prime, Falcao was one of the most feared strikers in the world at Atletico Madrid before he joined Monaco in a big money move. Though he suffered an injury, he made high profile (and high money) loan moves to Manchester United and then Chelsea but failed to reignite his career.
He moved back to Monaco but his lucrative contracts meant that his earnings totaled up to $19 million, of which a lion’s share is from his salary and winnings ($17 million).
El Tigre has a major endorsement deal with Puma in addition to several other firms which nets him $2 million.
12) Yaya Toure
Manchester City’s marauding Ivorian has been one of the driving forces in the club’s rise to prominence in England. Having played a major part in City’s title winning campaigns in 2011-12 and 2013-14, Yaya is one of the highest earners at the Etihad.
Though he is currently facing a dilemma as to whether to leave the club or accept an inferior contract, the 33-year-old has earnings of about $20 million. His salary and winnings amount to $17 million of it.
In addition, his sponsorship deals with the likes of Nissan and Puma gets him a further $3 million.
11) James Rodriguez
James Rodriguez, the golden boot winner at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, was one of Real Madrid’s prized possessions in 2014 when he was acquired from Monaco in a big money move.
Though the Colombian’s career has stalled a bit recently, there is no denying the quality he possesses.
He still remains one of the stars in world football and has age on his side. James has an estimated earnings of about $21 million of which $14 million is courtesy of his bumper contract at Madrid.
But he is a highly marketable footballer, as seen from his mega-million deals with Adidas, Hugo Boss, Pepsi etc. He also sponsors energy drink brand ‘10 Gold’ and is a prominent face of their social media campaign. All of this makes his wallet fatter by about $7 million.
