This list of the richest soccer players was based on research conducted by France Football according to the players’ wages and other endorsements. For other lists on your favourite teams and players visit Forbes.com

Pictures courtesy of Wenn

1. Lionel Messi

2009 Earnings: $44.5m

Country: Argentina

Club: Barcelona

Detail: Currently regarded as one of the best- if not the best- player in the world, Messi has even overtaken the famously wealthy David Beckham. That took some doing!

2. David Beckham

2009 Earnings: $41m

Country: England

Clubs: LA Galaxy and AC Milan

Detail: He has been in the top 2 places for each of the last 9 years. Still, it may come as quite a shock that he wasn’t number one in 2009 as well!

3. Cristiano Ronaldo

2009 Earnings: $40.5m

Country: Portugal

Club: Real Madrid

Detail: Beckham’s replacement and Manchester United, Ronaldo was later subject to a world record £80m move to Real Madrid. It’s little wonder he’s so high on the list!

4. Kaka

2009 Earnings: $25.3m

Country: Brazil

Club: Real Madrid

Detail: Kaka himself moved to Real Madrid for a massive £56m, but this is still somewhat below the fee for Cristiano. His earnings fall into place accordingly.

5. Thierry Henry

2009 Earnings: $24.3m

Country: France

Club: Barcelona

Detail: A high profile player, Henry moved from Arsenal in a £16m deal to Spain, and now commands the soccer world’s 5th highest earnings tally!

6. Ronaldinho

2009 Earnings: $23.2m

Country: Brazil

Club: AC Milan

Detail: This legendary attacking player previously played for Barcelona, and now plays alongside Beckham during the latter player’s loan spells from LA Galaxy

7. Carlos Tevez

2009 Earnings: $20.8m

Country: Argentina

Club: Manchester City

Detail: The 2nd Argentinte in the top 10, Tevez has *bravely* played for both Manchester United and Manchester City- despite the intense inter-club rivalry

8. Zlatan Ibrahimovic

2009 Earnings: $19.5m

Country: Sweden

Club: Barcelona

Detail: Ibrahimovic formerly played for Inter Milan, but moved to Barcelona in return for a player + cash deal with Samuel Eto’o going in the other direction.

9. Frank Lampard

2009 Earnings: $19.1m

Country: England

Club: Chelsea

Detail: Lampard is one of Chelsea’s most crucial players, along with John Terry and Petr Czech: together they make up the spine of the team and are each rewarded handsomly!

10. Samuel Eto’o

2009 Earnings: $18.6m

Country: Cameroon

Club: Inter Milan

Detail: Samuel Eto’o is a prolific striker, formerly of Barcelona, who was (fairly) recently swapped in a move to Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan

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