#4 of 10 World’s Highest-Paid Athletes In 2014 And How They Made Their Money

Click banner for more info

#4 Lionel Messi Total Earnings: $64.7 million Salary/winnings: $41.7 million Endorsements: $23 million 

Sponsors like Adidas, who launched his signature shoe last year, and Turkish Airlines, who paired him with NBA superstar Kobe Bryant, have invested heavily in Barcelona’s most prolific goal scorer. In May, he signed his 7th contract in 11 years that will pay him $50 million a year and extend his stay at Camp Nou until 2019.