scorecardThe 12 highest-paid soccer players in the world
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The 12 highest-paid soccer players in the world

12. Mohamed Salah - $25.1 million (€22.2 million)

The 12 highest-paid soccer players in the world

11. Gareth Bale - $27.1 million (€24 million)

11. Gareth Bale - $27.1 million (€24 million)

Team: Real Madrid

Contract: Six years, $33 million (€29.2 million) annually

Bale joined Real Madrid in 2013 and signed an extension three years later through June 2022.

In 2018, Bale scored two goals off the bench to lead Real Madrid to its third straight UEFA Champions League victory.

He's ranked No. 79 among all athletes.

10. Antoine Griezmann - $27.7 million (€24.5 million)

10. Antoine Griezmann - $27.7 million (€24.5 million)

Team: Previously on Atletic Madrid

Contract: N/A

In May, Griezmann announced that he was leaving Atletico Madrid after five years. He played 260 matches and scored 133 goals. Where he lands next is yet to be seen.

He played an important role during the 2018 World Cup for France, scoring or setting up eight of the 14 goals that led the team to victory.

9. Oscar - $29 million (€25.6 million)

9. Oscar - $29 million (€25.6 million)

Team: Shanghai SIPG

Contract: Four years, $26.5 million (€23.4 million) annually

Oscar rose to popularity during his five years with Chelsea, but in 2017 he made a surprising decision to sign with Shanghai SIPG of the Chinese Super League.

The lucrative deal quadrupled his weekly take-home pay. He's ranked No. 66 by Forbes.

8. Mesut Ozil - $30.2 million (€26.7 million)

8. Mesut Ozil - $30.2 million (€26.7 million)

Team: Arsenal

Contract: Three years, $24 million (€21.2 million) annually

Ranked No. 27 by Forbes, Ozil joined Arsenal in 2013 and signed a three-year extension in 2018 that doubled his annual pay.

He and his fiancé announced they would celebrate their wedding by funding 1,000 life-changing surgeries for underprivileged children.

Ozil also has two professional esports teams – one to compete in EA Sports FIFA competitions and another for Fornite.

7. Kylian Mbappe - $30.6 million (€27.1 million)

7. Kylian Mbappe - $30.6 million (€27.1 million)

Team: Paris Saint-Germain

Contract: Three years, $20 million (€17.7 million) annually

Mbappe became the youngest French player at 19 years old to score in a World Cup and second-youngest in a World Cup Final in 2018. He joined Paris Saint-Germain on loan in 2017 and signed a contract with the team in 2018.

He is ranked No. 55 by Forbes.

The forward donated his $500,000 (€442,000) World Cup bonus to a charity that organizes sporting events for disabled children. He won the 2018 World Cup Best Young Player award in 2018.

Read more: France's 19-year-old wunderkind is donating his World Cup winnings to charity – and the total could be more than $500,000

6. Alexis Sánchez - $30.8 million (€27.2 million)

6. Alexis Sánchez - $30.8 million (€27.2 million)

Team: Manchester United

Contract: Four 1/2 years, $21.5 million (€19 million) annually

Sanchez was moved from Arsenal to Manchester United in 2018. He scored just six goals and had five assists in 37 appearances in his first full season as he struggled with injuries.

Sanchez also plays a leading role in the 2019 film 'Mi Amigo Alexis' about a young Chilean boy who dreams of following in his hero's footsteps.

5. Andres Iniesta - $32.5 million (€28.7 million)

5. Andres Iniesta - $32.5 million (€28.7 million)

Team: Vissel Kobe

Contract: Three years, $30 million annually (€26.5 million)

Iniesta spent 22 years with Barcelona, including three as captain, before retiring from the national side and joining Japan's Vissel Kobe in 2018.

He's ranked No. 46 on Forbes' list.

Iniesta has a winery that began production in 2010, including a bottle named Minuto 116 for the minute he scored Spain's title-winning goal in the 2010 World Cup.

4. Paul Pogba - $33 million (€29.2 million)

4. Paul Pogba - $33 million (€29.2 million)

Team: Manchester United

Contract: Five years, $20 million annually (€17.7 million)

Pogba sits at the No. 44 spot on Forbes' list. He returned to Manchester United in 2016 after four years with Juventus.

After France won the World Cup in 2018, Pogba auctioned off his game-winning cleats for $30,000, which he donated to disadvantaged high schoolers.

3. Neymar - $105 million (€92.8 million)

3. Neymar - $105 million (€92.8 million)

Team: Paris Saint-Germain

Contract: Five years, $350 million (€309.4 million)

Neymar signed with Paris Saint-Germain in 2017. His transfer from Barcelona was the most expensive in the world at $263 million (€232.5 million). The French club paid that amount in full before his signing.

Neymar is the second most popular athlete on social media behind Ronaldo.

Read more: Neymar's move to PSG will cost the French soccer giant more than $500 million

2. Cristiano Ronaldo - $109 million (€96.4 million)

2. Cristiano Ronaldo - $109 million (€96.4 million)

Team: Juventus

Contract: 4 years, $64 million (€56.5 million) annually

After nine years with Real Madrid, Ronaldo signed a four-year deal with Juventus in 2018. His Juventus jersey made over $60 million (€53 million) with 520,000 sales within 24 hours.

The five-time FIFA Play of the Year is the all-time leading goal scorer in the UEFA Champions League and the most followed athlete on social media.

1. Lionel Messi - $127 million (112.3 million)

1. Lionel Messi - $127 million (112.3 million)

Team: FC Barcelona

Contract: Four years, $80 million (€70 million) annually

Messi signed a new contract with Barcelona in 2017 that keeps him in the Spanish club through 2021. His exact contract details weren't released at the time, but he is receiving $80 million (€70 million) per season, according to El Mundo, via EuroSport.

He also has a lifelong deal with Adidas.

Since his first match with Barcelona in 2004, Messi has accumulated 33 club titles in 687 matches.

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