Lionel Messi, Jose Mourinho Named Top Earners In Football

Lionel Messi made $71 million (€65 million) in total earnings in 2014, making him the highest-paid soccer player in the world according to a France Football report (via ESPNFC.com).

Messi's total earnings include $31 million (€28 million) in endorsements, including deals with Turkish Airlines and EA Sports, and $39 million (€36 million) in salary with FC Barcelona in Spain's La Liga. The salary makes Messi the highest-paid athlete in team sports based on salary alone.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi's rival with Real Madrid, is the second-highest-paid soccer player with total earnings of $59 million (€54 million).

Top 10 Players:

1. Lional Messi, FC Barcelona (Spain) — $71 million (€65 million)
2. Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid (Spain) — $59 million (€54 million)
3. Neymar Jr, FC Barcelona (Spain) — $40.0 million (€36.5 million)
4. Thiago Silva, Paris Saint-Germain (France) — $30.1 million (€27.5 million)
5. Robin Van Persie, Manchester United (England) — $28.1 million (€25.6 million)
6. Gareth Bale, Real Madrid (Spain) — $26.1 million (€23.8 million)
7. Wayne Rooney, Manchester United (England) — $24.7 million (€22.5 million)
8. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paris Saint-Germain (France) — $23.6 million (€21.5 million)
9. Sergio Agüero, Manchester City (England) — $23.3 million (€21.2 million)
10. Robert Lewandowski, Bayern Munich (Germany) — $22.2 million (€20.2 million)

Top 20 Coaches after the cut: 

1. Jose Mourinho (Chelsea): €18 million
2. Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid): €15.5 million
3. Pep Guardiola (Bayern Munich): €15.2 million
4. Arsene Wenger (Arsenal): €11.3 million
5. Louis Van Gaal (Manchester United): €10 million
6. Fabio Capello (Russia): €9 million
7. Andre Villas-Boas (Zenit Saint-Petersburg): €8.5 million
8. Sven-Goran Eriksson (Shanghai SIPG): €8 million
9. Jurgen Klopp (Borussia Dortmund): €7.2 million
10. Laurent Blanc (PSG) and David Moyes (Sociedad): €7 million
12. Rafael Benitez (Napoli): €6.9 million
13. Walter Mazzarri (ex-Inter Milan): €6.8 million
14. Roberto Di Matteo (Schalke 04): €6 million
15. Luciano Spalletti (ex-Zenit) and Luis Enrique (Barcelona): €5.5 million
17. Antonio Conte (Italy): €5.3 million
18. Manuel Pellegrini (Manchester City): €5.2 million
19. Brendan Rodgers (Liverpool): €4.9 million
20. Roberto Mancini (Inter Milan): €4.8 million