Due to this huge increase in turnover, clubs are able to pay a million plus monthly salary to the leading players. The sport’s worldwide popularity allows players to earn a handful of endorsements and image rights. Another source of income for players was their share of profits from goods bearing their name. All in all, modern footballers make enough money to live out the rest of their lives in luxury without having to worry about a penny.

Here is the list of the world’s highest grossing soccer players. Please note that this list is for 2014 and figures shown include salaries, bonuses and support fees. However, money earned through referrals is excluded.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo

Earnings: $79M – Salary and Bonus: $52.2M, Endorsements: $26.8M

Over the years, the Real Madrid star has rewritten several records with his determination, hard work, professionalism and incredible skills. Due to his ability to score all types of goals, Ronaldo is considered by many to be the most comprehensive attacking player of modern times. He has won FIFA Ballon d’Or three times, has finished as top scorer in La Liga and UEFA Champions Leaguethree times and has won almost every trophy available in association football. His reported annual salary, including bonuses, is said to be more than $50 million. Ronaldo also uses his immense social media popularity (105 million Facebook fans and 37 million Twitter followers) to land some of the most lucrative endorsement deals. Its main sponsors include Nike, Tag Heuer, Herbalife, CR7 Underwear, Shirts & Shoes and Clear for Men.

2. Lionel Messi

Earnings: $70.5M – Salary and Bonus: $48.5M, Endorsements: $22M

The Argentine magician is considered by many to be the best footballer to have ever played on the soccer field. And its numbers already reflect its size. With 286 goals he is the all-time top scorer in La Liga and for his club FC Barcelona he has won the Ballon d’Or four times and was the winner of the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball at last year’s World Cup. He has won three Copas del Rey , six Supercopas de España , three UEFA Champions Leagues , two UEFA Super Cups and two FIFA Club World Cupswith his club page. The Barcelona club have rewarded him handsomely for his talent with a salary of over 45 million which also includes bonuses. His superhuman exploits have also helped him score some big endorsement deals. His main sponsor Adidas has launched an iconic Messi footwear and apparel line with great success. Other leading sponsors include Pepsi, Turkish Airlines, Gillette, EA Sports and Audemars Piguet.

3. Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Earnings: $41.8M – Salary and Bonus: $35.8M, Endorsements: $6M

Zlatan is arguably one of the most confident soccer players around. His eccentric comments and ability to score incredible goals have made him a cult figure. He has won twelve league titles in four different countries and countless trophies in his glittering career. The black belt holder in taekwondo has been compared to legendary Dutch striker Marco Van Basten for his style of play. A tall, strong and agile forward, he excels at exceptional finishing, passing, ball control and vision, which also helps him create a variety of scoring chances. In over three seasons for his current club Paris Saint-Germain, Ibrahimovic has scored 106 goals in 126 games and is just three goals behind all-time leading scorer Pauleta. Ibrahimovic is being rewarded more than $35m by the French club for his ability to score incredible goals. Its main sponsors include Volvo and Vitamin Well. However, he can earn millions more by signing a new lucrative shoe sponsor.

4. Gareth Bale

Earnings: $34.9M – Salary and Bonus: $25.4M, Endorsements: $9.5M

In September 2013, Real Madrid made Gareth Bale the most expensive player in the world by buying him from English club Tottenham Hotspur for $118 million. And in his first season, he justified the huge price tag of winning the Copa Del Rey final against eternal rivals Barcelona FC and scoring the crucial second goal in the UEFA Champions League final against city rivals Atlético Madrid. However, in his second season, he was widely criticized by fans of the club for his indifferent form and it was reported that English giants Manchester United are looking to bring him back. If the reported transfer goes ahead, he is guaranteed to receive a substantial increase in his $25 million club salary. In terms of approval, he’s also becoming a rising superstar. Last year, he signed a 6-year deal with sportswear giant Adidas, valued at an estimated $35 million.

5. Neymar

Earnings: $31.7M – Salary and Bonus: $14.7M, Endorsements: $17M

Neymar has smoothly transitioned from a Brazilian prodigy to a global marketing star. The tricky striker earns more from endorsements than from his professional contract with the Catalan club. Neymar is a sporting icon in his homeland and his 43 goals at the age of 23 fully justify the heroic status he enjoys among fans. Despite his young age, he has assumed the mantle of leader for the national side. Part of his great credit for the past year was due to the fact that Brazil hosted the World Cup. His commercials for Nike and Beats were very popular during the tournament. His main sponsors include Nike, Unilever, Panasonic, Konami, Red Bull, Volkswagen and Police. Neymar is on course to become the new Pelé on the field and David Beckham off the field.

6. Radamel Falcao

Earnings: $31M – Salary and Bonus: $27M, Endorsements: $4M

However, he has struggled to recover from the illness after a catastrophic knee injury left Radamel Falcao still able to rake in $30 million in 2014. While on loan at Manchester United, the Colombian attacker looked like a striker who was considered one of Europe’s top strikers before his devastating injury. However, poor form didn’t stop him from making more than $250,000 a week. He also pocketed millions for his image rights. But it seems his indifferent form will take a toll on his salary next season as reports suggest Falcao is ready to take a pay cut to play for another big club. Puma, Samsung, Gillette, Panini and Gatorade are Falcao’s leading sponsors.

7. Wayne Rooney

Earnings: $25.8M – Salary and Bonus: $19M, Endorsements: $6.8M

Manchester United and EnglandCaptain Wayne Rooney is considered one of the best English players of the BPL era. The former Everton star holds the record of becoming the first player to score more than ten goals in 11 consecutive seasons. The 29-year-old forward needs just two goals to overtake Bobby Charlton as England’s all-time leading scorer. He is Manchester United’s third all-time top scorer with 230 goals and needs 20 goals to overtake Bobby Charlton. In 2014, the club rewarded him with a 5-year, $105 million contract extension, linking him with the club until June 2019. The contract also allows the club to negotiate image rights and commercial deals on behalf of the club captain. He has endorsement deals with Nike, HarperCollins, Samsung and Ford.

8. James Rodriguez

Earnings: $25.4M – Salary and Bonus: $21.4M, Endorsements: $4M

James Rodriguez emerged as one of the most popular players from the 2014 World Cup. His six goals in the tournament, which included a stunning volley against Uruguay, made him a household name and helped him win the prestigious Golden Boot Award . Indeed, according to many experts, he was better than Lionel Messi, who was named player of the tournament. His World Cup exploits helped him earn $100m for the transfer to Real Madridand a chance to bond with his idol CristianoRonaldo. Pocketing more than twenty million at the Spanish club, he has become one of the most bankable stars. Like his idol, he has also launched his new line of J10 underwear, designed by newest sponsor Bronzini Black. He recently landed an extremely lucrative deal with Adidas. His other sponsors include Gatorade, Pepsi, Huawei, Hugo Boss and Dentics.

9. Sergio Aguero

Earnings: $25.3M – Salary and Bonus: $18.1M, Endorsements: $7.2M

Sergio Aguero achieved iconic status atManchester City by scoring an injury-time goal against QPR and leading his club to the BPL title. This was Manchester City’s first Premier League era. Since joining from Atlético Madrid, Aguero has consistently ripped apart defenses in the league and is one of the top scorers in the league. For his stunning performances, the club awarded him a $90 million plus five-year contract last summer. There are currently rumors that Real Madrid could move for him. In such an event, the Spanish club may have to break the record again. Aguero is hugely popular in his home country and is an established marketing force. Puma, Pepsi and Gillette are its main sponsors.

10. Luis Suarez

Earnings: $19.9M – Salary and Bonus: $15.4M, Endorsements: $4.5M

Despite his penchant for litigation, there is no denying that Luis Suarez is one of the best forwards in football. His direct run, brilliant ball control, incredible dribbling and powerful shot make him a feared prospect for opposing defenders. With 43 goals, he is the top scorer of his national team. He was signed by Barcelona for 81 million euros. In his first season, he has helped the Catalan side win La Liga and Copa Del Rey titles and UEFA Champions LeagueIn the final, his club meets Juventus. His club salary is around $15 million and if he maintains his impressive form, he could see a significant increase in the years to come. Suarez has long been an ambassador for Adidas and was recently seen as the face of a new line of football boots