Reports have claimed Manchester City are lining up a sensational move for Lionel Messi that would see the Barcelona superstar earn £800,000 per week.The Argentina forward is already one of the world's highest-paid players but such a deal would land him an annual pay rise worth almost £9million per year. Here, Press Association Sport looks at the game's top-earning players.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid & Portugal) Salary (including bonuses): £34.7million. Total earnings (including endorsements): £52.9millionDebate may rage over whether Ronaldo is a better player than Messi, but the Portuguese is currently the better paid.
Lionel Messi (Barcelona & Argentina)Salary (including bonuses): £32.3million. Total earnings (including endorsements): £41.6millionMessi would catapult himself above Ronaldo in terms of earnings if such a move happened.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Paris St Germain & Sweden)Salary (including bonuses): £23.8million. Total earnings (including endorsements): £27.8millionThe powerful and prolific Swede is a star in the French capital and is well rewarded for it.
Gareth Bale (Real Madrid & Wales)Salary (including bonuses): £16.9million. Total earnings (including endorsements): £23.1millionThe former Tottenham star propelled himself into the big league with his world record £85.3million move to Real Madrid in 2013.
Neymar (Barcelona & Brazil)Salary (including bonuses): £9.7million. Total earnings (including endorsements): £21millionThe Brazilian star is well rewarded for his efforts at the Nou Camp but such is his marketability that he actually banks more in commercial income.
:: Source: Forbes.com. Based on figures for 2014 published earlier this year.
Source: PA