Messi Has More Bread Than A Bakery

Messi tops the highest earnings list for the first time in his short but highly successful career. Over the past year, Messi earned a cool £29.6 million. Not bad for kicking a ball around, eh? David Beckham, who topped the list the proceeding two years, dropped to second, earning £27.3m. Madeira's favorite son, Cristiano Ronaldo, is third, earning £27m.

Jose Mourinho topped the manager's list earning £11.7m at the helm of Inter Milan.

For the complete list visit here.

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ESPN's Top 50 Players in South Africa

NO. / PLAYER / COUNTRY


1 Lionel Messi, Argentina
2 Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal
3 Wayne Rooney, England
4 Kaka, Brazil
5 Xavi, Spain
6 Didier Drogba, Ivory Coast
7 Andres Iniesta, Spain
8 Fernando Torres, Spain
9 Steven Gerrard, England
10 Michael Essien, Ghana

11 David Villa, Spain
12 Franck Ribery, France
13 Samuel Eto'o, Cameroon
14 Luis Fabiano, Brazil
15 Iker Casillas, Spain
16 Cesc Fabregas, Spain
17 Gianluigi Buffon, Italy
18 Dani Alves, Brazil
19 Nemanja Vidic, Serbia
20 Wesley Sneijder, Netherlands

Very interesting list here.  I don't know this list is accurate or very credible having come from ESPN.  As you can see, Dani Alves is supposedly better than Maicon.  Obviously this list has nothing to do with contribution to the actual national squad or Cristiano Ronaldo probably wouldn't be on it.

21-50 after the jump

Cristiano & Ruben Rally Around Madeira

Violent rainstorms have resulted in a series of flash floods on the Portuguese island of Madeira this past week.  The island has confirmed over 40 deaths and injuries, after mudslides and rocks came down on the city of Funchal.  Fellow Madeirans Cristiano Ronaldo (pictured below) and Ruben Micael (pictured above) have shown support for their home-(is)land in this weekend's game.  They both helped their teams to victory, and represented their region in different ways.  Ruben was subbed out and showed the stadium his flag, while Cristiano scored a beautiful freekick and revealed an undershirt with "Madeira" written on it.  Coincidentally, the Funchal derby of the Liga Sagres also took place this week, a 1-1 draw between Ronaldo's former club C.D. Nacional and Maritimo of Funchal.

The former FIFA World Player of the Year said yesterday, "I'm incredulous, shocked, distressed.  It's a big catostrophe. I feel the pain of all the population."  The Portuguese government will likely seek relief help from the European Union for the disaster. 

DID YOU KNOW?
Christopher Columbus lived in Madeira before and after sailing to the "West Indies."

But...but...Messi did it, too

Real Madrid lost their appeal on Cristiano Ronaldo's two game ban. They tried to use the defense that Messi did it in a game and didn't get suspended. I can't believe that Real Madrid would use that as a defense. I mean it sounds like something a kid tells their parents an an excuse. Just because somebody got away with it doesn't mean it wasn't wrong. I mean both are pretty viscous, and Messi did probably deserve a card, as well as one for the defender holding on for dear life. Take a look.


I do feel that Messi does get away with a lot more than Ronaldo. I remember a match were he spit on somebody and it wasn't even big news. If that was Cristiano, we never would have heard the end of it.

Bad boys...Whatcha gonna do?

Cristiano Ronaldo is being suspended 2 games by La Liga for his elbow/forearm blow to Mtiliga's face, breaking the Dane's nose in the process. For those who don't know, Mtiliga was tugging on Ronaldo's shirt as the Portuguese tried to take off with the ball. Cristiano then flung his elbows back twice, connecting the second time. Real Madrid are trying to cut the suspension back. Here you go

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has been suspended by the English FA for four games. He was initially suspended for 3 games, but he basically said the charge was BS, so they gave him another game. Good enough. Full story here

Adrian Mutu of Fiorentina has been caught doing drugs for the second time in his career. He could be looking at a 4 year suspension. If that's the case, I'm almost positive the 31-year old's career will surely be over. He still owes Chelsea 14.6 million pounds for cocaine, errr, I mean breach of contract. More here

Cristina Ronaldo Sent Off After Brace Against Malaga

After scoring two first half goals against the 16th place Malaga Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off for a hissy fit involving kicking a Malaga player. Ronaldo continues to show his maturity and class for los merengues, which spent a reasonable $130 dollars for the portuguese international over the summer. So glad he's the captain of my country's national team. Ronaldo himself does not deny what most people think of him as you can see above, he even poses willingly for pictures representing his demeanor.

Highlights of the match below....