Age: 28
Nationality: English
Club: Liverpool
Earnings (m): $14.3 million
A hard-driving muscular center half for club and country, Chelsea’s iconic captain makes our list thanks to billionaire owner Ramon Abramovich’s largesse and a lucrative endorsement deal with kit maker Umbro, even though he is no clothes-hanger. Terry is likely to move up the earnings league next year as his contract is up for renewal.
No. 9)Steven Gerrard
Age: 28
Nationality: English
Club: Liverpool
Total Earning : $14.2 million
While fans fantasize about a takeover of Liverpool from disliked American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, the club's captain and native son is a rallying force keeping the Reds together. Gerrard is on pace to top his personal best of 22 goals in a season and has a contract that runs until 2011.
NO.8) Andriy Shevchenko
Age: 31
Nationality: Ukranian
Club: Chelsea
Earnings (m): $17.5, 8.7 pounds, 12.8 euros
Despite signing a club record four-year contract to join Chelsea in the 2006-07 season, Shevy is said to be close to a return to AC Milan, whose president, Silvio Berlusconi, is godfather to his eldest son. There, Shevchenko would be closer to the house of Armani, with whom he opened a boutique in his native Kiev.
No. 7) Fabio Cannavaro
Age: 34
Nationality: Italian
Club: Real Madrid
Total Earning : $14.6 million
Leading Italy to the 2006 World Cup catapulted this Italian defender into the ranks of soccer’s best paid thanks to a move to Real Madrid from scandal- tainted Juventus. In Spain, he is not quite the consistent force he was in Italy, but the 32-year-old is still in fine enough form to strip down to his underwear for Dolce & Gabbana ads.
No. 6) Kaka
Age: 26
Nationality: Brazilian
Club: AC Milan
Earnings (m): $17.7, 8.8 pounds, 12.9 euros
The influential play maker known by his childhood nickname is the reigning best player in the world. After receiving the 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year award (and similar UEFA Club, World Soccer and Italian Series A awards), Kaka was rewarded by the Rossoneri with a contract extension worth $14 million a year.
No. 5) Cristiano Ronaldo
Age: 23
Nationality: Portuguese
Club: Manchester United
Earnings (m): $18.5, 9.2 pounds, 13.5 euros
After outpacing a Bugatti Veyron in a recent Nike ad, the Portuguese winger beat a club record for most goals (32) in a season held by Old Trafford idol George Best. Man U. is about to match his Beckham-like fame off the pitch by making him the highest-paid player in the Premier League with a new contract worth over $275,000 per week.
No. 4) Ronaldo
Age: 31
Nationality: Brazilian
Club: AC Milan
Earnings (m): $21.2, 10.6 pounds, 15.5 euros
In February 2008, the three-time World Player of the Year and all-time leading World Cup scorer suffered a season-ending knee injury. Since it was the third of such kind, requiring nine months of rehabilitation and his contract expires in June 30, it's likely The Phenomenon's career is in jeopardy, at least in a top-flight league. His hometown team, Rio's Flamengo, beckons.
No. 3) Thierry Henry
Age: 30
Nationality: French
Club: Barcelona
Earnings (m): $25.1, 12.5 pounds, 18.3 euros
Less than a year after Arsenal's career-leading scorer (226 goals) signed a four-year contract with Barcelona worth more than $9 million a year, the French national is up for sale. MLS's Seattle Sounders are in hot pursuit, and Henry said he would love to play in the U.S. Americans are already familiar with him--he's the other famous face in the Gillette ads with Tiger Woods and Roger Federer.
No. 2) Ronaldinho
Age: 28
Nationality: Brazilian
Club: Barcelona
Earnings (m): $32.6, 16.3 pounds, 23.8 euros
After starting in only 13 league games this season due to a thigh injury, Ronaldinho is out for the season and stands accused of having "Brazilian superstar disease." AC Milan (Italian Series A), Manchester City (EPL) and Don Garber of MLS all think they have a cure. YouTube is already infected--it contains over 115,000 videos of him, including Nike's "Touch of Gold" viewed by over 22 million people.
No. 1) David Beckham
Age: 33
Nationality: English
Club: Los Angeles Galaxy
Earnings (m): $48.9, 24.4 pounds, 35.7 euros
After appearing in his milestone 100th match for England, Becks marked his second season at the Galaxy's home opener with a win. Off the pitch, Beck's brain trust is making sure he benefits from the jersey and ticket sales incentives in his new contract. His Armani underwear campaign has soccer moms taking notice. His Sharpie deal makes sure he can sign all the No. 23 merchandise their kids bring to the Home Depot Center.
