The World Cup's Highest-Paid Soccer Players

Here’s a look at the 10 highest-paid soccer players who are competing in this summer’s World Cup in Brazil. Each player’s total earnings include salary and endorsement deals, based on the latest rankings from Forbes. (REUTERS)

10. David Silva, Spain Team: Manchester City Total Earnings: $16 million The Spanish midfielder is playing under a five-year, $15 million contract with Manchester City. Barcelona is rumored to be interested in acquiring Silva this summer. His sponsor is Adidas, which pays him about $1 million. Germany’s Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich) and Mesut Ozil (Arsenal), plus England’s Frank Lampard (Chelsea), also earn $16 million a year, with a higher percentage coming from endorsement deals. (REUTERS)

9. Steven Gerrard, England Team: Liverpool Total Earnings: $17 million Gerrard received a new $13 million contract for the 2014-15 season, taking the England captain through his 35th birthday. Adidas and candy maker Mars have sponsorship deals with Gerrard. (REUTERS)

8. Robin Van Persie, Netherlands Team: Manchester United Total Earnings: $19 million The Dutchman has a four-year deal worth $16 million annually. But Van Persie is said to have an out clause if Manchester United finishes the Premier League season outside the top four, which the team is on pace to do this year. Adidas and Pepsi are his major sponsors. (REUTERS)

7. Fernando Torres, Spain Team: Chelsea Total Earnings: $20 million The Premier League’s Chelsea pays Torres $17 million a year. Major sponsors Adidas and Pepsi provide another $3 million in earnings. (REUTERS)

6. Yaya Toure, Ivory Coast Team: Manchester City Total Earnings: $21 million Toure signed a four-year contract last year to stay with Manchester City, but his salary remained at $18 million. He also has a sponsorship deal with Puma. (REUTERS)

5. Sergio Aguero, Argentina Team: Manchester City Total Earnings: $21 million In 2011, Puma gave Aguero a long-term endorsement deal that made him the apparel company’s highest-paid soccer player. Aguero, who makes $17 million playing for Manchester City, also has deals with Pepsi and Gillette. (REUTERS)

4. Wayne Rooney, England Team: Manchester United Total Earnings: $22 million Rooney has played for Manchester United of the U.K.’s Premier League since 2004. His sponsorship deals with Nike, Samsung and Harper Collins account for $4 million of his earnings. (REUTERS)

3. Neymar, Brazil Team: Barcelona Total Earnings: $28 million The 22-year-old Brazilian native makes $12 million a year playing for Barcelona. Endorsement deals with Nike, Castrol, Panasonic, L’Oreal and Volkswagen boost his earnings by another $16 million. (REUTERS)

2. Lionel Messi, Argentina Team: Barcelona Total Earnings: $65 million Barcelona pays Messi an annual salary of $42 million. He also has sponsorships with Adidas, Pepsi and Samsung. (REUTERS)

1. Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal Team: Real Madrid Total Earnings: $73 million The Portugal forward makes roughly $49 million a year as part of a five-year contract with Real Madrid. Ronaldo, who has sponsorship deals with Nike, Samsung, Herbalife and others, is one of the highest-paid athletes in the world. (REUTERS)