The Cote d’Ivoire international and African footballer of the year is the only African to make Forbe Magazine’s 100 best paid sportspeople of the season with €15.1 million earned
Manchester City’s Yaya Toure took in €15.1 million in earnings and endorsements over the past 12 months to make Forbes’ list of the 100 highest paid athletes, and the only African.
The 29-year-old Cote D’Ivoire international midfielder is however placed near the bottom at 73rd position of the list topped by American boxer Floyd Mayweather with €67.35 million, followed by Filipino professional boxer and politician Manny Pacquiao, who earned €49.12 million.
Former world’s richest sportsman golfer Tiger Woods comes third with earnings worth €47.07 million.
The first footballer on the list is former England captain David Beckham, who now plays for Los Angeles Galaxy. He made €36.45 million during the last 12 months to sit at 8th position ahead of Real Madrid’s Christiano Ronaldo on 9th position with €33.6 million.
Three-time Fifa Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi of Barcelona comes 11th with €30.9 million earned.
Below are the 10 highest paid footballers during the previous season according to Forbes magazine.
1. David Beckham: €36.45 million
2. Cristiano Ronaldo: €33.6 m
3. Lionel Messi: €30.9 m
4. Wayne Rooney: €19.22 m
5. Kaka: €16.4 m
6. Sergio Agüero: €15.9 m
7. Fernando Torres: €15.5 m
8. Yaya Toure: €15.1 m
9. John Terry: €13.8 m
10. Steven Gerrard: €13.4 m
