Leo Messi and the TOP 5 highest paid footballers in the world – GALLERY

Lionel Messi has officially completed his move to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on a two-year deal following his departure from Barcelona.

And this was after Barcelona confirmed that they couldn’t afford to pay his salary due to debts facing almost all the La Liga clubs.

READ | KAIZER CHIEFS LATEST | THIBEDI SET FOR SENSATIONAL RETURN TO SOWETO RIVALS!

PSG, strong favourites to sign Messi, as expected, then made a move for the left-footed superstar and met his salary demands.

In so doing, PSG ensured they have three of their front three superstars in the list of TOP FIVE highest paid footballers in the world.

READ | SWALLOWS SNATCH KAIZER CHIEFS MAN & 2 MORE FROM MAMELODI SUNDOWNS

According to Forbes, PSG have agreed to pay Messi $75 million per year.

In addition, the 34-year-old Argentina international will earn a bonus and a cut of player rights, including jersey sales.

READ | SIPHO MBULE IS TRENDING AGAIN! 5 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW!

Overall, Messi will be earning $130 million per year at PSG, reports Forbes, and this makes him the highest paid footballer in the world.

• 

  Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring. Photo: Chloe Knott – Danehouse/Getty Images

• 

  Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus takes off his jersey to throw it at a ball boy at the end of the Serie A football match between Juventus FC and Genoa CFC at Allianz stadium in Torino (Italy), April 11th, 2021. Photo Federico Tardito / Insidefoto/Sipa USA

• 

  6 Neymar – $95 million PSG and Brazil superstar Neymar’s 282 million followers across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter make him the third-most-popular athlete on social media, behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi—and make him a major draw for the world’s biggest brands. Last year, he announced an early exit from his contract with Nike’s Jordan Brand and became a brand ambassador for Puma, with a signature version of its King shoes. In April, Epic Games introduced the avid video gamer into its blockbuster game Fortnite with an in-game skin and a competition to win a pair of his shoes.

• 

  Switzerland defeated world champions France 5-4 on penalties in the last 16 of Euro 2020 as Kylian Mbappe missed the decisive spot-kick.

• 

  Liverpool star Mo Salah was omitted from Egypt’s Tokyo Olympics football squad – but he looks absolutely fine with the decision.

Behind Messi, according to the same publication, is none other Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus who is on $120 million with add-ons.

Neymar and Kylian Mbappe are third and fourth with $95 million and $40 million per year with add-ons respectively.

READ | SIPHO MBULE: DO KAIZER CHIEFS REALLY NEED THE SUPERSPORT UNITED STAR?

Rounding up the top five is Liverpool and Egypt attacker Mohamed Salah who is on $38 million per year salary with add-ons.