Lionel Messi is currently the highest-paid footballer in the world, but he shockingly earns 273 times more than the top-earning female star. So how much do the best-paid female players pocket?
Click through the gallery above to see who the highest-paid ladies in football are, and what they earn annually, according to France Football!
France Football recently published a list of the top-earning footballers in the game right now, with Messi at the summit of the ranking.
The Argentine pockets a whopping €131 million (R2.6 billion) from his basic salary, bonus payments and sponsorship deals per year, according to the French magazine.
Meanwhile, Carli Lloyd was announced as the top earner in the women's game by France Football. The United States of America midfielder, who plies her trade for Sky Blue FC at club level, receives €480 000 (R9.5 million) per annum.
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That is less than what Messi makes in the space of two days, with the FC Barcelona superstar's annual income calculating to €360 000 (R7.1 million) per day, and €720 000 (R14.2 million) over two days. Unlike Messi, though, Lloyd has won two FIFA World Cups.
Seven of her USA teammates are also among the 12 highest-paid female players in the game, with two France stars, one from Norway and Brazil legend Marta completing the list.
Megan Rapinoe, winner of the 2019 Women's Ballon d'Or, follows Lloyd in second place, pocketing €415 000 (R8.2 million) a year, before her predecessor for the Golden Ball, Ada Hegerberg, completes the podium with €400 000 (R7.9 million) annually – you can see the complete list in the gallery above!
Note: Figures are gross salaries plus contractual bonuses over the season.
Do you think the massive difference in pay between female and male footballers is justified? Have your say in the comments section below.
