10 Highest-Paid Sports Stars In The World

7. 4. Lionel Messi (Barcelona) - Football

Barcelona's Lionel Messi, from Argentina, kicks the ball from a penalty before scoring his side's first goal during a Copa del Rey Quarterfinal soccer match between FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday,
Emilio Morenatti/AP

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).

 
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Contributor

NUFC editor for WhatCulture.com/NUFC. History graduate (University of Edinburgh) and NCTJ-trained journalist. I love sports, hopelessly following Newcastle United and Newcastle Falcons. My pastimes include watching and attending sports matches religiously, reading spy books and sampling ales.