Leo Messi pocketed 126 million euros in gross earning over the 2017-18 season, according to figures collated by France Football, more than €30m more than Cristiano Ronaldo, who made €94m. The totals were reached taking into account salary before tax, bonuses and earnings through publicity and sponsorship.

Third in the list of highest-earners is PSG forward Neymar, who earned €81.5m, followed by Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale in fourth with €44m. Completing the top five is Barcelona defender Gerard Piqué, who banked €29m over the same period.

Messi has therefore regained top spot after relinquishing it to Ronaldo in 2016-17, when the Portuguese earned €87.5m to the Argentinean’s €76.5m.

France Football, which awards the annual Ballon d’Or, also stated that Messi’s earnings for the season made him the first footballer in history to break the €100m-mark in a single year.

Mourinho tops manager list for second year

Full screen JOHN SIBLEY (Action Images via Reuters)

Meanwhile, José Mourinho topped the list of highest-earning managers for a second consecutive year after taking home €26m and he was followed by China boss Marcelo Lippi (€23m), Diego Simeone (€22m) Zinedine Zidane (€21m) and Pep Guardiola (€20m).

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