The Beautiful Game Made Better With Money?

What do Beckham, Ronaldo, Tevez and Messi all have in common? The hottest women by their sides? The top teams in the world fighting for not only their skills but also their brand? More money than the mere mortal can ever imagine? Tick, tick and triple tick.

While there are many footballers out there who are admired, some are still yet to shine. Some have not been tainted by the wealth and keep the game close in their hearts, others have seen their finances grow incredibly as they themselves become a household name.

These success stories are borne out of some incredibly smart financial decisions (though there have been some howlers along the way, as can be seen here). In terms of the players' personal fortunes, the current rich list is nothing short of astounding:

10) Steven Gerrard, Liverpool and England - £11.1 million
9) Frank Lampard, Chelsea and England - £11.9 million
8) Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Barcelona and Sweden - £12.4 million
7) Carlos Tevez, Manchester City and Argentina - £12.6 million
6) Ronaldinho, AC Milan and Brazil - £14.2 million
5) Thierry Henry, New York Red Bulls and France - £14.8 million
4) Kaka, Real Madrid and Brazil - £15.4 million
3) Christiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid and Portugal - £24.8 million
2) David Beckham, LA Galaxy and England - £25 million
1) Lionel Messi, Barcelona and Argentina - £27.2 million

In Messi’s season 2009/2010 he scored 47 goals, at just 23 years old he has made history for Barcelona in becoming the top goal scorer in European competitions. Not only are Barcelona fans impressed at the skills of Messi, but football fans throughout the world are anticipating just who will become the top scorer of the Spanish League in 2011, Messi or Ronaldo. At 27 goals each the competition is fierce.

Their skills are quite frankly out of this world and millions would risk everything to watch them live for five minutes. However, should they really be paid millions to play a game many people throughout the world love and spend their Sunday’s having a fun kick about on the field?

Perhaps, perhaps not. But one thing we all know is that Messi may be paid a fair wedge, but he certainly has unbelievable tekkers.

Arrogant Platini Turns Nose Up at Technology

Eufa president Michel Platini has arrogantly snubbed the use of modern technology in football suggesting that it widespread implementation could result in what he called "Playstation football". Football’s world governing body FIFA had recently performed a major U turn on the subject of goal line technology after initial tests had proved poor and ineffective, but in the wake of Frank Lampard’s “goal” against Germany at the 2010 World Cup there had been great pressure for the technology to be scrutinised further.

However, former French superstar Platini dismissed Fifa’s decision to re-investigate the possibility of goal line technology as “nonsense”, instead suggesting that employing extra referees to assist the man in the middle was instead the best way of moving football officiating forward. Platini was quoted as saying "One referee is not enough, not in the modern era where you have 20 cameras…It is a logical step with so many cameras that can pick up incidents: the more eyes there to assist the referee, the better the chance of spotting those incidents."
Such a casual dismissal of advanced technology is sure to incense England fans who felt their chances of success in the World Cup were dashed by a poor decision from the assistant referee leading to Lampard’s strike not to stand when replays showed it had clearly crossed the goal line.

Chelsea Send Warning To Tital Rivals Ahead Of Sunday Showdown At Anfield

Chelsea sent a major warning to title rivals Liverpool and Manchester United ahead of today's massive clash at Anfield by demolishing a poor Blackburn Rovers side at The Bridge. The Blues never moved out of third gear in their 5 - 0 victory over Rovers who saw their dreadful away form continue. A dominant performance from Chelsea hitman Didier Drogba and a continuation of England midfield star Frank Lampard's return to form swept aside a Blackburn outfit that must now face a further daunting away trip to Old Trafford next weekend. Ghana international Michael Essien also fired in from long range on an afternoon of total Chelsea domination, where The Blues could have racked up a cricket score. The 5 nil rout was in fact Chelsea's biggest ever win against the Lancastrians and sent them back to the Premier League summit ahead of Man United's visit to Anfield this afternoon. United can however go back to the top of the Premier League if they beat Rafa Benitez' struggling Reds this afternoon.

Club Vs Country - Which Would You Choose?

Well it seems that footballs international week is once again upon us and with the latest bout of mid-season friendly fixtures there comes the inevitable reopening of the ongoing club vs country debate that has long been a cause of great debate by football fans in pubs across the length and breadth of England. There's nothing quite like the English national team for stimulating football banter and this week has been no exception, as fans across the country debate on whether their international stars should or shouldn't be involved in what many perceive to be meaningless fixtures that can only cause disruption to the weekend fixture preparations of their respective club sides. The club vs country debate has been reignited in particular this week by the withdrawal from the England squad of several notable names including Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand. The football banter on the lips of the more cynical fans in England at this moment seems to centre around the fact that should Wednesday's friendly at Wembley against Germany have been the World Cup final, would these multi-millionaire players have withdrawn from the fixture with their apparent "injuries." that may be a somewhat critical view, although it has to be said it may certainly be no coincidence that England's latest list of absentees all play for clubs challenging for the Premier League title. Now I may be stoking the flames even more through these comments, but I certainly wouldn't bet against these premier league superstars miraculously recovering from their respective ailments just in time to turn out for their clubs next fixtures. You may argue that it is the clubs who pay these players vast sums of money for their services and should therefore not have to risk them picking up injuries in friendly fixture, but I personally would give my right arm to play for my country in any fixture, in any time, in any place. The debate will no doubt continue as to the commitment of England's international players, especially considering the national teams continued failures in recent years. what do you think? Join in with the football banter and share your thoughts on this blog today!