how much money does a good soccer player make
STORY HIGHLIGHTS. For the top five soccer players in the world, salaries averaged $14.67 million. Real Madrid's star forward Cristiano Ronaldo earns $17.06 million a year. Lionel Messi, 22, is the youngest among the highest-paid soccer stars with $13.74 million. Olympic medal winner Samuel Eto'o has a contract worth $13.74 million.