10 Highest-Paid Sports Stars In The World

7. 4. Lionel Messi (Barcelona) - Football

Rating: Annual Income: £43.4million ($64.7million)

Often mentioned in the same breath as Diego Maradona and Pele as one of the greatest players to ever grace a football pitch, Barcelona forward Messi failed to win a title in 2014 - agonisingly losing the World Cup final with Argentina in extra-time - but he did renegotiate his contract and sponsorships to claim £43.4million ($64.7million).