Yaya Touré, Manchester City

   2011 earnings: €13.8 million

Yaya Touré, born in 1983, is an Ivorian footballer who currently plays for Manchester City as a midfielder. Traditionally a defensive midfielder, he has been used more as an attacking midfielder by his coach now. Touré joined ASEC Mimosas youth academy in 1996, became the first player from C?te d'Ivoire to play for Barcelona in 2007, and then transferred to Manchester City in 2009. Touré has participated in many international matches for C?te d'Ivoire, representing the team in their appearances in 2006 and 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, and the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cup.