Zlatan Ibrahimovic

zlatan ibrahimovic

The highest earning international athletes. With endorsement king of the world David Beckham now retired, Cristiano Ronaldo takes the top spot—but not by much. Lionel Messi, whose salary was just increased to exceed Ronaldo’s, is close on his heels despite having far less in endorsement money. Soccer salaries are up, up, up, all across the board, which is why tennis stars Caroline Wozniacki and Victoria Azarenka missed the cut.

International 20

The captain of the Swedish national team is brash and cocky but backs it up on the pitch. He won FIFA’s 2013 Goal of the Year for a bicycle kick against England. With a salary of 15 million euros, he is the highest-paid player on Paris St. Germain, the team where David Beckham finished up his career. He also has a sizeable Volvo deal.