Barcelona star Lionel Messi outstripped great rival Cristiano Ronaldo in the earning stakes last season. Messi, according to France Football, earned a massive €28.6 million last year through wages and endorsements, while Manchester United star Ronaldo raked in €18.3 million.

The top eight are:

1) David Beckham (LA Galaxy) - €32.4 million 2) Lionel Messi (Barcelona) - €28.6 million 3) Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United) - €18.3 million 4) Kaka (AC Miilan) - €15.1 million 5) Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Inter Milan) - €14 million 6) Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) - €13.5 million 7) Frank Lampard (Chelsea) - €13 million 8) John Terry (Chelsea) - €11.7 million