Lionel Messi Named Highest-Paid Footballer Ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar — bleacherreport.com

Lionel Messi's total income for 2014—including his wages at Barcelona and numerous sponsorship deals—stood at a whopping £47.8 million, making him the world's highest-paid footballer ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar. This is according to a survey by France Football (h/t Neil McLeman of the Mirror), which reports Messi's basic salary of £26 million is "almost doubled" when his commercial earnings are factored in. Ronaldo is the second-highest-paid player with £39.7 million finding its way into his bank, while Neymar is third with a measly £26.8 million.

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