Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham was the world's best paid soccer player in 2007, according to Forbes, which reported his income as $49 million. Of that, $12 million came from his Real Madrid and Galaxy salaries, and $37 million was from image rights, including a portion of the proceeds from 300,000 Beckham Galaxy jerseys sold.

Beckham's lucrative endorsements include adidas, Pepsi and Armani underwear, which signed him in November on a three-year contract worth more than $20 million and a portion of sales. The second highest earner in 2007 was Brazilian Ronaldinho.

 

Beckham is the only player in the Top 20 who doesn't play for a European club. Nine players ply their trade in English Premier League, including five Chelsea players.

FORBES World's 20 Top-Earning Players of 2007
Rank. Player (Country/Club) Earnings in millions
1. David Beckham (England/Los Angeles) $48.9
2. Ronaldinho (Brazil/Barcelona) $32.6
3. Thierry Henry (France/Barcelona) $25.1
4. Ronaldo (Brazil/AC Milan) $21.2
5. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal/Manchester United) $18.5

6. Kaka (Brazil/AC Milan) $17.7
7. Fabio Cannavaro (Italy/Real Madrid) $17.5
8. Andriy Shevchenko (Ukraine/Chelsea) $17.5
9. Steven Gerrard (England/Liverpool) $17.0
10. John Terry (England/Chelsea $17.0

11. Wayne Rooney (England/Manchester United) $16.3
12. Francesco Totti (Italy/Roma) $16.2
13. Michael Ballack (Germany/Chelsea) $16.0
14. Frank Lampard (England/Cheslea) $14.8
15. Alessandro del Piero (Italy/Juventus) $14.3

16. Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast/Chelsea) $13.4
17. Rio Ferdinand (England/Manchester United) $12.5
18. Lionel Messi (Argentina/Barcelona) $11.9
19. Raul Gonzalez (Spain/Real Madrid) $10.9
20. Oliver Kahn (Germany/Bayern Munich) $10.3

Click HERE for a slideshow of the world's 20 Top-Earning Players of 2007.

Click HERE for a slideshow of the cars owned by soccer's richest players.