The 2018 FIFA World Cup has been full of upsets. UBS predicted that Germany would win, while Goldman Sachs predicted Brazil would take home the trophy. However, on Sunday, it's France and Croatia that will face off in the final. With soccer superstars like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar out of the competition, only one of the eight highest-paid soccer players in the world remains — French midfielder Paul Pogba. According to to Forbes' ranking of the 100 highest-paid athletes in the world, the 25-year-old Manchester United star earned a salary of $25 million in 2017, plus an additional $4.5 million in endorsements, bringing his total earnings for the year to $29.5 million. The result? Sky-high expectations. Paul Pogba of France during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Round of 16 match between France and Argentina at Kazan Arena on June 30, 2018 in Kazan, Russia. Jean Catuffe/Getty Images Pogba, nicknamed "La Pioche" ("the pickax"), has yet to score a goal in this World Cup, but has been praised for his positive performances. In the past, commentators have suggested that Pogba is being overpaid by Manchester United. "Everyone expects a lot from Paul: great feats of technique and goals from distance," French teammate Antoine Griezmann tells FIFA. "People want him to lift the crowd to their feet." Griezmann is reportedly being offered a new salary somewhere between and €20 million (about $23.3 million) and €23 million (nearly $26.8 million) a year to stay at Atletico Madrid, but did not make Forbes' list in 2018.<doc-sep>Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Juventus has converted the Portuguese forward into the third highest-paid player in the world, behind Barcelona’s Leo Messi and PSG’s Brazilian forward Neymar. Ronaldo is set to earn 30 million euros per year in Turin, a nine-million-euro improvement on his Real Madrid salary, which stood at 21 million. Messi pockets 40 million euros a year at the Camp Nou while Neymar’s contract at the Parc des Princes is worth 36 million a year. Iniesta could break top five Andrés Iniesta's name does not yet feature in the top 10 of the world's best-paid footballers as the details of his contract with Vissel Kobe have not been disclosed but during negotiations with the former Barcelona captain a figure of 27 million euros per year was mentioned, which would place him fourth on the list behind Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo has long sought to earn a salary in line with his status and Juventus were willing to pay him enough to move him into the top three. On his previous wage, Ronaldo was the eighth best-paid player in the world, sandwiched between two footballers plying their trade in the Chinese Super League, Hulk and Ezequiel Lavezzi. He has now overtaken Mesul Özil, Antoine Griezmann – whose decision to stay at Atlético Madrid was rewarded with a pay rise to 23 million euros a year - Alexis Sánchez and Óscar, who picks up 23 million a year at Hebei Fortune in the CSL. Cristiano Juventus Forward Portugal The 10 highest-paid players in world football Player Club Salary Leo Messi (ARG) Barcelona (ESP) €40m Neymar (BRA) PSG (FRA) €36m Cristiano Ronaldo (POR) Juventus (ITA) €30m Óscar (BRA) Shanghai SIPG (CHN) €24m Alexis Sánchez (CHI) Man. United (ENG) €23m Antoine Griezmann (FRA) Atlético (ESP) €23m Mesut Özil (GER) Arsenal (ENG) €23m Ezequiel Lavezzi (ARG) Hebei Fortune (CHN) €22m Hulk (BRA) Shanghai SIPG (CHN) €20m Kylian Mbappé (FRA) PSG (FRA) €18m Paul Pogba (FRA) Man. United (ENG) €17m Sources: As.com, Statista and Fox Sports.<doc-sep>
Cristiano Ronaldo has secured a stunning £100million move from Real Madrid to Juventus and, in doing so, has sealed a £500,000-a-week contract. His new deal in Turin sees his pay packet get bumped up dramatically, largely owing to Fiat agreeing to shoulder the burden of his £26.6m-a-year wages. The new salary will also see him jump up to third on the list of the highest-paid footballers in the world, behind Lionel Messi (£40.5m a year) at Barcelona and Neymar (£31.7m) at Paris Saint-Germain. Cristiano Ronaldo has secured a stunning £100million move from Real Madrid to Juventus He will earn £500,000 a week (£26.6m a year) and is now third on list of highest-paid players Ronaldo also moves above Alexis Sanchez, who earns £23.4m a year following his move to Manchester United back in January. Some players currently plying their trade in the lucrative Chinese Super League also make the top-ten list. Oscar, Hulk (both Shanghai SIPG) and Ezequiel Lavezzi (Hebei Fortune) all earn upwards of £17m, while Mesut Ozil's new Arsenal contract sees him pocket £18.2m. Kylian Mbappe, who has shone for France at this summer's World Cup in Russia, raked in a staggering £15.9m during his loan season at Paris Saint-Germain last season – and don't expect that to change anytime soon with top clubs clamouring for the 19-year-old's signature. Paul Pogba makes up the final spot in the top 10 with his £15.4m-a-year deal at Manchester United. Barcelona's star forward Lionel Messi earns an astonishing £40.5m a year at the Nou Camp Neymar (second) and Kylian Mbappe (ninth) also feature on the top-ten list of highest earners