9. Cesc Fabregas ($21 million)
Two years ago, Cesc Fabregas signed a five-year contract deal with Chelsea. The club is currently paying him $16 million of salary and estimated bonus. Jiangsu, one of the clubs from Chinese Super League, offered to double that number but he declined. The 29-year-old chose to stay with The Blues.
Fabregas started to shine as a young midfielder when he joined Arsenal in 2003. During his long career with The Gunners, he scored 35 goals in 212 domestic matches.
Besides his main salary, Fabregas also earns $5 million per year from his endorsement deals. His two major sponsors are Puma and, as seen on the picture, Beats by Dre.
He has been the forefront of Puma’s marketing campaign since he signed the deal in 2011. In fact, two years ago, the sportswear supplier launched a soccer boot specifically designed for him to wear.
