Messi highest-paid football star ahead of Beckham, Ronaldo

London, Mar 20 (ANI): Ace footballer Lionel Messi, who is one of the greatest players on the planet, has earned 27.4 million pounds from wages, bonuses, sponsorships and endorsements overtaking David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo.

According to France Football, Barcelona forward Messi earned more than LA Galaxy midfielder Beckham, for so long the game's top earner, came in second on 26.2 million pounds, while Real Madrid star Ronaldo collected 24.3 million pounds in 2011.

Messi's annual 13 million pounds salary gets topped up by a number of deals with leading global brands, including adidas and Pepsi.

The list of the world's richest footballers and coaches sees Wayne Rooney in fifth place behind Samuel Eto'o, who plays for Russian outfit Anzhi Makhachkala, The Sun reports.

Rooney earns 17 million pounds against Eto'o's 19.3 million pounds.

Jose Mourinho is the top-paid coach with 10.19 million pounds this year with Real Madrid.

Paris St Germain boss Carlo Ancelotti is second (11 million pounds) with Barcelona's Pep Guardiola (7.88 million pounds) third. (ANI)