Yaya Toure the only African sportsman on Forbes’ rich list

Jun 21, 2012 5:04:00 PM

The Cote d’Ivoire international and African footballer of the year is the only African to make Forbe Magazine’s 100 best paid sportspeople of the season with €15.1 million earned

Manchester City’s Yaya Toure took in €15.1 million in earnings and endorsements over the past 12 months to make Forbes’ list of the 100 highest paid athletes, and the only African.

The 29-year-old Cote D’Ivoire international midfielder is however placed near the bottom at 73^rd position of the list topped by American boxer Floyd Mayweather with €67.35 million, followed by Filipino professional boxer and politician Manny Pacquiao, who earned €49.12 million.

Former world’s richest sportsman golfer Tiger Woods comes third with earnings worth €47.07 million.

The first footballer on the list is former England captain David Beckham, who now plays for Los Angeles Galaxy. He made €36.45 million during the last 12 months to sit at 8th position ahead of Real Madrid’s Christiano Ronaldo on 9^th position with €33.6 million.

Three-time Fifa Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi of Barcelona comes 11^th with €30.9 million earned.

Below are the 10 highest paid footballers during the previous season according to Forbes magazine.

1. David Beckham: €36.45 million

2. Cristiano Ronaldo: €33.6 m

3. Lionel Messi: €30.9 m

4. Wayne Rooney: €19.22 m

5. Kaka: €16.4 m

6. Sergio Agüero: €15.9 m

7. Fernando Torres: €15.5 m

8. Yaya Toure: €15.1 m

9. John Terry: €13.8 m

10. Steven Gerrard: €13.4 m

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