From Goldenballs to Platinum balls: Beckham returns to the top of football's rich list... despite giving his wages to charity
By JAMES ANDREW
He may be in the twilight of his glittering career but David Beckham has regained his crown at the top of footballs rich list – despite donating his wages to charity.
The Paris Saint-Germain star has overtaken Barcelona’s Lionel Messi at the top of the pay list with annual earnings of £30.8million.
And while Manchester United may lead the way at the top of the Premier League, it is rivals Manchester City who have the most players in the top 20 of highest earners.
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Hero's welcome: David Beckham received a superstar's greeting as he arrived in Beijing, China, on Wednesday morning
Star quality: Beckham shook hands with thrilled pupils as he arrived at Shijia Hutong Primary School
Work commitment: Beckham is on a four-day tour of China, where he hopes to promote his beloved sport
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star is estimated to earn £28.3m from sponsorship deals with Adidas, Sainsbury’s and Samsung, and a new £50m five-year deal to be an ambassador for the Chinese Super League – where Becks is currently on a four day whistle stop tour of Beijing and the rest of China to promote football in the county.
The former England captain was seen enjoying his new role in the Far East as he took part in a small football game with local students - complete in grey suit, tie and shoes.
David Beckham arrived in China on Tuesday as an ambassador to help develop young players as the country tries to clean up its football image after a spate of corruption scandals.
Centre of attention: Chinese students take pictures of Beckham as he aims a trademark pass
High five: A student celebrates with Beckham during the game
New role: David Beckham is hoping to help China's professional game
Welcome David: Chinese students were excited to see Beckham arrive at their school
Beckham said he isn't concerned about the match-fixing scandals in China, with several players and officials sentenced to prison.
'I'm not here to clean up anything. I'm here to educate the children and give them a chance to become professional footballers,'
The recent survey in France Football shows that Beckham earned less than five per cent of his income through his wages while playing for LA Galaxy and PSG with the bulk coming in sponsorships and endorsements.
The 37-year-old is expected to take home the French league minimum wage of £132,000 from his five months in the Paris while around £4m will be donated to local charities.
Stars in Spain: Lionel Messi has beaten Cristiano Ronaldo in another poll
When he signed his deal at PSG, Beckham said: ‘It has never been about the biggest contract or the money.
‘It’s always been about playing football. I’ve been lucky to achieve what I’ve achieved and earn what I’ve earned.’
It is the sixth year that Beckham tops the chart and he has been in the top 10 every year since 1999.
Cashing in: Wayne Rooney is the highest earning English player playing in the Premier League
Foreign stars: Samuel Eto and Neymar are two of the highest earning players in Russia and Brazil
Show me the money: Manchester City's Yaya Toure wants a pay rise
The rest of the top twenty has six stars from the Premier League and only five from La Liga.
But there are no English based players in the top five, with Barcelona’s Messi again finishing just ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo.
The next two highest earners – Samuel Eto’o at Russian side Anzhi and Neymar from Brazil’s Santos give a clue to where the future riches may lie.
Cameroon striker Eto’o is the higest paid in terms of wages with an annual salary of £17.1m.
Rolling in it: Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic
While Neymar, 21, has been persuaded to stay in his homeland by massive endorsement deals from some of Brazil’s biggest companies and will be the face of the 2014 World Cup.
City star Sergio Aguero is top earner in the Premier League in sixth place ahead of Wayne Rooney, Yaya Toure - who is looking for a pay rise from his £220,000-a-week deal - and Chelsea flop Fernando Torres.
Carlos Tevez and David Villa are both on £13.8m, meaning City have four players in the top 12 despite the fact they could end the season without a trophy.
In the money: Chelsea's Fernando Torres makes the list
Gigi Buffon from Juventus is the only player from Serie A.
Jose Mourinho is the highest-paid coach on £12m at Madrid ahead of Carlo Ancelotti of PSG and Marcello Lippi, who led Guangzhou Evergrande to the 2012 Chinese Super League title.
Golfer Tiger Woods is still the highest-paid athlete, ahead of boxer Manny Pacquiao, with Beckham in seventh place and F1 star Lewis Hamilton in ninth.
MONEYBALL - SPORTS HIGHEST EARNERS
Top ten footballers
1) David Beckham (PSG - £30.8m)
2) Lionel Messi (Barcelona - £30m)
3) Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid - £25.7m)
4) Samuel Eto (Anzhi Makhachkala - £20.5m)
5) Neymar (Santos - £17.1m)
6) Sergio Aguero (Manchester City - 16.3m)
7) Wayne Rooney (Manchester United - £15.4m)
8) Zlatan Ibrahimovic (PSG - £15m)
9) Yaya Toure (Manchester City - £14.2m)
10) Fernando Torres (Chelsea - £14m)
Top ten sportsmen
1) Tiger Woods (Golf - £39.4)
2) Manny Pacquiao (Boxing - £37.7m)
3) Kobe Bryant (Basketball - £36.8m)
4) LeBron James (Basketball - £36m)
5) Roger Federer (Tennis - £34.2m)
6) Phil Mickelson (Golf - £31.7m)
7) David Beckham (Football - £30.8m)
8) Lionel Messi (Football - £30m)
9) Lewis Hamilton (Formula One - £30m)
10) Floyd Mayweather Jr (Boxing - £29.1m)
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