As compared to 2015, 2016 has been a tumultuous year for football with Leicester City winning the Barclays Premiere League and youngsters like Dele Alli ranking high in weekly wages compared to veteran players like Mesut Ozil, who led his team to victory in the 2014 FIFA World Cup hosted by Germany.

This year, football has been all about true grit with middle tier players scoring more goals and breaking records whilst the top tier players and performers finding it hard to deal with the pressure. Tickets are selling like hot cakes, and hence players are making more money..

Let’s take a look at the top 10 most expensive players of 2016:

10. Yaya Toure(Ivory Coast)

At 33, Yaya Toure is the tenth highest paid player of 2016. Signed by Manchester City from FC Barcelona, he has been an integral member of his national as well as his club side and is in the last year of his contract which is a staggering $17 million a year. Only his endorsements and sponsorships put him short of the 9th most expensive player as his total earning for 2016 was $20 million.

9. James Rodriguez(Columbia)

Winner of the FIFA World Cup 2014’s Pichichi award, James was signed the following transfer season by giants Real Madrid on a $14 million a year contract. With his cute looks, he has major sponsors in the form of Pepsi, Nike as well as his own energy drink brand ‘10 Gold’. His net earnings for 2016 sum up to $21 million a year making him one of the richest and most valuable youngsters present in the footballing world.

8. Cesc Fabregas(Spain)

The midfield maestro’s peak years may be over, but his vision has saved his national team as well as his club Chelsea FC in many tight spots. After signing with FC Barcelona, on $16 million dollar a year deal, his yearly income for 2016 exceeded $21 million making him the right most expensive player of the year.

7. Eden Hazard(Belgium)

After signing a new contract with FC Chelsea, Eden Hazard now earns $18 million a year excluding sponsorships which total up to $22 million just in 2016. The Belgian star may not have had the best season, but he is still making more money than most of his counterparts.

6. Luis Suárez(Uruguay)

With 40 goals and more than 15 assists under his name this season, the FC Barcelona striker is 5 goals ahead of the world’s most valuable player, Cristiano Ronaldo. His debut season at his club was also extremely impressive as he netted the ball 40 times which was the highest of the Liga BBVA. Considered to be a bargain, he ranks number six and earned $23 million in 2016 combining both club fees as well as sponsorships and endorsements.

5. Sergio Aguero(Argentina)

Argentinian striker Sergio Aguero is the top scorer for his club Manchester City and reportedly earns $18 million a year salary and has appeared in many advertisements in this year alone due to the Copa America as well as the UEFA Euros which increased his earning to $25 million.

4. Wayne Rooney(England)

With an average season in 2016, it may seem surprising how Wayne Rooney is at number four, but the England captain earned $20 million only from his club and made almost the same amount in endorsements and sponsorships.

3. Gareth Bale(Wales)

Earning an approximate figure of $60 million, the Welsh International scored in 19 out of 20 games which he started for his club, Real Madrid in 2016. A leading figure in his national side, he has dropped to number three due to the new contract that was signed by his Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo.

2. Lionel Messi(Argentina)

Echoing the shadows of footballing legends such as Abedi Pele, Diego Maradona and Ronaldinho, Lionel Messi has firmly incorporated his presence in the footballing community. With 5 ballon d’or and countless trophies under his belt with FC Barcelona. He is one of the most valuable footballers alive with his earnings summing up to $82 million in 2016

1. C Ronaldo(Portugal)

The Real Madrid  FC forward has had an illustrious career where he scored on average at least 40-50 goals. Now the captain of his national team of Portugal, Christiano Ronaldo is the highest paid footballer with earnings matching up to $88 million.