Cristiano Ronaldo Named World's Richest Footballer

Cristiano Ronaldo has been named the world's richest footballer after topping the annual list of players' net worth compiled by Goal.

The Real Madrid superstar held off Barcelona rival Lionel Messi in the Goal Rich List 2014 with an estimated wealth of €148 million.

The Goal Rich List is collated by a team of analysts and takes into account all streams of revenue for active footballers over the course of their careers.

Ronaldo succeeds David Beckham, who led the way on the 2013 list but called time on his playing career last May.

Only current professionals are eligible with the earnings of more than 200 contenders assessed before Goal's experts finalised the top 10. List Below:

1. Cristiano Ronaldo - €148m

2. Lionel Messi - €146m

3. Samuel Eto'o - €85m

4. Wayne Rooney - €84m

5. Kaka - €82m

6. The Neymar family - €80m

7. Ronaldinho - €78m

8. Zlatan Ibrahimovic - €69m

9. Gianluigi Buffon - €63m

10. Thierry Henry - €57m

The rest of the list is made up of global superstars, who have accrued huge wealth over significant spells at the top of the professional game.