Beckham

Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham was the world’s best paid soccer player in 2007, according to Forbes, which reported his income as $49 million.

Of that, $12 million came from his Real Madrid and Galaxy salaries, and $37 million was from endorsements and other deals, including a portion of the proceeds from 300,000 Beckham Galaxy jerseys sold last year.

Beckham’s lucrative endorsement deals include adidas, Pepsi and Armani underwear, which signed him last year in a three-year contract worth over $20 million.

Beckham is the only player in the Top 20 who doesn’t play for a European club. Nine players play in the English Premier League, including five Chelsea players.

FORBES World’s 20 Top-Earning Players of 2007:

Rank. Player (Country/Club) Earnings in millions

1. David Beckham (England/Los Angeles) $48.9

2. Ronaldinho (Brazil/Barcelona) $32.6

3. Thierry Henry (France/Barcelona) $25.1

4. Ronaldo (Brazil/AC Milan) $21.2

5. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal/Manchester United) $18.5

6. Kaka (Brazil/AC Milan) $17.7

7. Fabio Cannavaro (Italy/Real Madrid) $17.5

8. Andriy Shevchenko (Ukraine/Chelsea) $17.5

9. Steven Gerrard (England/Liverpool) $17.0

10. John Terry (England/Chelsea $17.0

11. Wayne Rooney (England/Manchester United) $16.3

12. Francesco Totti (Italy/Roma) $16.2

13. Michael Ballack (Germany/Chelsea) $16.0

14. Frank Lampard (England/Cheslea) $14.8

15. Alessandro del Piero (Italy/Juventus) $14.3

16. Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast/Chelsea) $13.4

17. Rio Ferdinand (England/Manchester United) $12.5

18. Lionel Messi (Argentina/Barcelona) $11.9

19. Raul Gonzalez (Spain/Real Madrid) $10.9

20. Oliver Kahn (Germany/Bayern Munich) $10.3