Ronaldinho Gaúcho, Flamengo

   2011 earnings: €18.3 million

Ronaldinho Gaúcho, born in 1980, is a Brazilian footballer who currently plays for Flamengo and the Brazilian national team. Ronaldinho's career began with the Grêmio youth squad when he was seven years old, and he was identified as a rising star at the 1997 U-17 World Championship in Egypt. In 2003, he transferred to Barcelona and developed into a superstar. He has won FIFA World Player of the Year award twice (2004 and 2005), FIFPro World Player of the Year twice (2005 and 2006) and a Golden Foot in 2009. With the exceptional ball control, trickery and flair, Ronaldinho is considered as a free-kick specialist and one of the best players of his generation.