Paris, May 06: Manchester United's England Captain David Beckham is the highest paid player in Europe, France football magazine says. The magazine puts his earnings at 15 million Euros (17 million dollars) a year, one million more than Real Madrid's French star Zinedine Zidane. Brazil World Cup star Ronaldo, also of Real Madrid, was said to be on 11.7 million Euros a year. Fourth was United's England defender Rio Ferdinand on 9.62 million Euros, followed by Juventus star Alessandro Del Piero on 9.55 million Euros and, surprisingly, Japan's Hidetoshi Nakata, who plays for Italian side Parma, on 9.36 million Euros.
The magazine calculated earnings from salaries, bonuses, endorsements and image rights.

It estimated Beckham was paid 6.6 million Euros in salary and 8.4 million Euros in endorsements.

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Beckham's off-field earnings made the difference with Zidane, who cost real a world record 72.1 million Euros when they bought him from Juventus in 2001.
Top 10:
1. David Beckham (Eng, Manchester United) 15 Million Euros
2. Zinedine Zidane (Fra, Real Madrid) 14 Million
3. Ronaldo (Bra, Real Madrid) 11.7 Million
4. Rio Ferdinand (Eng, Manchester United) 9.62
5. Alessandro Del Piero (Ita, Juventus) 9.55
6. Hidetoshi Nakata (Jpn, Parma) 9.36
7. Raul Gonzalez (Spa, Real Madrid) 9.3
8. Patrick Vieria (Fra, Arsenal) 9.28
9. Michael Owen (Eng, Liverpool) 8.9
10. Roy Keane (Ire, Mancvhester United) 8.65.


Bureau Report