Messi and Mourinho are top earners

• AFP, Tuesday, March 22, 2011 2:10 AM

France Football magazine is reporting that Lionel Messi and Jose Mourinho are the highest paid player and coach in soccer.

Messi's annual income from his salary and publicity deals in 2011 amounts to $44 million. Real Madrid boss Mourinho topped the coach's rich list with an income of $19 million.

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo earns $39 million, followed by Manchester United's Wayne Rooney at $29 million.

Trailing Mourinho on the coaches' list are Barcelona's Pep Guardiola ($15 million), recently fired Inter Milan coach Rafael Benitez (14.5 million), and England boss Fabio Capello ($12 million).

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