Beckham is retired. Long live Messi

According to the France Football ranking, Argentina’s star striker had the biggest earnings boost this year

The ranking of the world’s highest-paid footballers reports a change at the very top. After English star David Beckham ended his professional career, his place was immediately taken by Argentine Lionel Messi, whose annual income rose by 41 million euros. “This is still not a figure that matches the earnings of the highest-paid athletes overall. That’s why there’s still room for growth,” says football agent Jozef Tokos. The annual income of golfer Tiger Woods is estimated at more than 50 million euros.

Good name pays off
An annual salary of 12.5 million euros, 2.5 million in bonuses, and 26 million from commercial activities – these are the earnings behind Messi’s result. But not everyone can demand such a fee. “It’s a matter of quality and its fair valuation,” said well-known football agent and former Czechoslovak international Július Bielik for the Economic Daily. He added that Messi’s agent can negotiate contracts based on the immense value his name brings. Last year, the Argentine’s biggest earnings boost came less from football talent and more from his personal brand. That brand continues to grow in value, proven by new sponsorship deals. For example, in December he joined forces with basketball star Kobe Bryant in a Turkish Airlines commercial, in which the two athletes exchange “selfie” photos from destinations served by the airline. “Just as these two men are the best in their sports, we are the best in ours,” explained Turkish Airlines marketing chief Faruk Cizmecioglu.

Side by side
At first glance, it might seem that Messi’s Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo is the more prominent marketing face in football. According to experts, however, that’s not entirely true. “These two players are evenly matched in off-pitch activities, as proven by their similar income from sources outside the game,” notes Jozef Tokos. Their close rivalry is also confirmed by the latest France Football ranking, where the Portuguese star, in second place, trailed by “only” 1.5 million euros. The question remains whether, in the next ranking of footballers’ paychecks, Ronaldo might overtake him. However, according to his new five-year contract, Barcelona’s greatest player in history is set to become the best-paid player on the pitch, which could push him even higher.