Carles Puyol, Barcelona

   2011 earnings: €11.4 million

Carles Puyol, born in 1978, is a Spanish footballer who plays for FC Barcelona and the Spanish national team. Mainly a central defender, he can also play on either flank, especially as a right back. Puyol started playing football for his hometown club as a goalkeeper, and joined FC Barcelona's youth system in 1995. In 1999, he stepped up to play for the club's first team and has served as a longtime team captain for Barcelona, his only club, from August 2004 till now.