#1 Cristiano Ronaldo, 29
Position: Forward
World Cup team: Portugal
2013 earnings: $73 million
A five-year contract worth $206 million from Real Madrid and sponsorships including Nike, Samsung and Herbalife have boosted Ronaldo's net worth to make him among the highest-paid athletes in the world.''
#2 Lionel Messi, 26
Position: Forward
World Cup team: Argentina
2013 earnings: $65 million
The winner of the World Player of the Year -- or FIFA Ballon d'Or -- for 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012, along with a collection of additional trophies, Messi is considered among the best players of his generation.
His sponsorships include Adidas and Pepsi, but his new contract with Barcelona could land him in earnings competition for 2014 with 2013 No. 1 earner Cristiano Ronaldo.
#3 Neymar da Silva Santos Jr., 22
Position: Forward
World Cup team: Brazil
2013 earnings: $28 million
With a contract with Barcelona that pays him a salary of $74 million over five years and endorsements with L'Oreal, Nike and Castrol, Neymar should be moving up in earnings over the next few years, especially as he hits the world stage this summer. He's expected to shine at the World Cup in his home country Brazil.
#4 Wayne Rooney, 28
Position: Forward
World Cup team: England
2013 earnings: $22 million
He's a 10-year soccer veteran, with Samsung, Nike and HarperCollins paying him endorsements worth a total of $4 million. And Rooney is on a quest to become the all-time leading goal scorer for Manchester United and for England.
#5 Sergio Aguero, 26
Position: Forward
World Cup team: Argentina
2013 earnings: $21 million
Being Puma's highest-paid soccer player is worth a pretty penny. Along with that endorsement deal, this Manchester City player is endorsed by Pepsi and Gillette.
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