David Beckham, Los Angeles Galaxy

   2011 earnings: €19 million

David Beckham, born in 1975, is an English footballer who plays midfield for the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer. Beckham's career began when he signed a professional contract with Manchester United, and he made his first team debut in 1992 at age 17. In January 2007, he transferred from Real Madrid to the Los Angeles Galaxy. As a former member of the England national team, Beckham was the captain from 2000 until the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals, during which he played 58 times. He has twice been the runner-up FIFA World Player of the Year, and has won the ESPY Award – Best MLS Player in 2008, and the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010.