Top five: Richest players in world football Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi & David Beckham are among the top five richest footballers

Beckham is the world's richest footballer (©GettyImages)

The wages of football players is a fairly touchy subject, many argue that players do not deserve the money they get paid and others believe that if the money is there, then why shouldn't they accept it?

Here we take a look at the five footballers with the largest personal fortunes, according to The Goal Rich List 2013.

David Beckham leads by over £50m, with the likes of goal machines Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo trailing in his wake.

Here are the top five: 

5 | Ronaldinho, £63m

The always jovial Brazilian has been sponsored by American giants Nike for years now, and during the peak of his career at Barcelona he was one of the most “fashionable” players in the world.

4 | Kaka, £66.5m

Another Brazilian, the Real Madrid playmaker has really disappointed since his move to the Santiago Bernebeu for £56m. However, the popularity of his brand image is reflected by his twitter following of just under 15 million, which is why he is so well paid by sponsors Adidas.

3 | Cristiano Ronaldo, £112m

Ronaldo has countless sponsorship and endorsement deals with Nike, Giorgio Armani, and Castrol to name a few. If that was not enough. His £80m transfer to Manchester United made him the most expensive player in world football and his £106m wages in his six year contract were not bad either. 

2 | Lionel Messi, £115.5m

Like so often the Argentine wizard narrowly beats his rival Ronaldo, despite having a lower basic salary whilst sponsorship seals with Adidas, Pepsi, and EA Sports are a nice source of income. If these sums of money can ever be justified, there is no one more deserving than the four time Ballon D’Or winner.

1 | David Beckham, £175m                    

The English superstar, earned £15m in off field commercial interests last year, with 2012 being his most financially prosperous year to date. The power of his public image is demonstrated by the euphoria that surrounded his transfer to Paris Saint Germain this January, when in reality, at the age of 37 with retirement surely impending soon, the media frenzy did not reflect the significance of his impact solely on the field
.

EXCLUSIVE: Sir Alex Ferguson wants to bring Cristiano Ronaldo back at Manchester Utd, says Gary Pallister

'Sir Alex Ferguson wants to re-sign Ronaldo' - Pallister

 

The former Manchester United defender believes the boss is keen to raise the bar on Manchester City and other title rivals and bring the Portuguese forward back to Old Trafford

EXCLUSIVE
By Russell Stoddart

Gary Pallister insists that Sir Alex Ferguson is keen on bringing Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo back to Manchester United in the summer, as the Red Devils look to build on their seemingly imminent record-breaking 20th Premier League title.

Victory against Manchester City on Monday evening will stretch United's lead over the reigning champions to 18 points but Pallister insists that Sir Alex isn't content and plans to send out a message of intent to rivals in England and abroad.

CRISTIANO RONALDO'S SEASON SO FAR
GAMES PLAYED GOALS ASSISTS	46 46 7

And, according to the former Red Devils defender, the Portuguese ace would be the final piece of the jigsaw as the long-standing manager plans to raise the bar.

The 47-year-old told Goal.com: "I know for sure that Sir Alex would love to have Ronaldo back at Old Trafford. To be honest, I didn't think it would be likely, especially this summer, but I'm coming round to it now. A lot depends on whether Jose Mourinho stays at Real, but, if not, Ronaldo could be tempted into a return.

"Despite losing out to Real in the Champions League this season, United have proved they are once again the best in England and that would be important to someone like Ronaldo. Sir Alex never rests on his laurels and demands improvement every season, and Ronaldo will guarantee him not just 30 goals next season but also the league title.

"The only blot on this season is that Champions League exit and Sir Alex has always said that he regrets not winning the competition more often. Ronaldo was the difference between the sides over the two legs and that will not be lost on Sir Alex.

MAN UTD v MAN CITY PREVIEW
6/1	Cristiano Ronaldo is 6/1 with BetVictor to sign for Man Utd before September 1

"Of course, if Ronaldo is available, United will have to break the bank to get him, but if it’s true that new club sponsors will be willing to underwrite the deal, then it might be an exciting summer ahead."

Pallister feels United’s domestic dominance has already avenged being pipped to the title by City last season, but is certain Sir Alex has had Monday's fixture ringed in his calendar since the date was announced.

He explained: "The last thing Sir Alex will tell his players before the game is to remember how it felt to lose 6-1 at home to City last season.

"I was at United when we lost 4-1 at home to QPR in the FA Cup, and also shipped five and six respectively at Southampton and Newcastle, but that defeat to City would probably be the most embarrassing of his managerial career.

"Sir Alex was determined to right those wrongs and it's no coincidence that United flew out of the traps this season and have not really looked back.

"What will have surprised Sir Alex is that having laid down the gauntlet, City have not really responded. Everyone expected City to kick on and be a major force, but this season has affirmed without much of a fuss that United once again hold the balance of power in Manchester."