Mayweather Chairs Highest-Paid Athletes, Ronaldo, Messi in Top Five

The money man as he is fondly called tops the list recently released by Forbes Magazine for the 100 highest paid athletes in the world. 

For the third time in a space of four years, Floyd Mayweather has ranked as the highest paid athlete in the world. Mayweather’s $300 million year shatters the record for athlete earnings, which was previously held by Tiger Woods, who banked $115 million in 2008 ($125 million adjusted for inflation).

Thanks to the big money fight bewteen Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao which greatly influenced their positions on the list.

The only footballers in the top ten are Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi who occupy 3rd and 4th respectively.

Here's the Top 10: 

1. Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Total Earnings: $300 million

Salary/Winnings: $285 million 

Endorsements: $15 million 

2. Manny Pacquiao

Total Earnings: $160 million

3. Cristiano Ronaldo

Total Earnings: $79.6 million

4. Lionel Messi

Total Earnings: $73.8 million

5. Roger Federer

Total Earnings: $67 million

6. LeBron James

Total Earnings: $64.8 million 

7. Kevin Durant

Total Earnings: $54.1 million

8. Phil Mickelson

Total Earnings: $50.8 million 

9. Tiger Woods

Total Earnings: $50.6 million 

10. Kobe Bryant

Total Earnings: $49.5 million

See full list here 

Manchester United Legend Cantona believes Ronaldo and Messi are not better than PSG's Pastore

The duo of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are not as good as Javier Pastore. This was the submission of former Manchester United Legend Eric Cantona.

Cantona believes that the PSG and Argentina forward is ''more creative'' than any other player in the world.

''The best player in the world, the most exciting player in the world, is [Javier] Pastore from Paris Saint-Germain,'' said Cantona. ''I watched two games just to see Pastore playing, giving passes. He has got something special. Because football is interactive, it's why football is so popular, I think.''

Pastore's statistics this season can not be compared with that of Messi who has 45 goals for Barcelona while Cristiano Ronaldo has found the back of the net 51 times for Spanish rivals Real Madrid, but the former Manchester United legend who seems to be seeing something the world is not, was speaking at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Shanghai.

''Pastore can do things that the other ones don't know, he does things that surprise you every time. Not only in scoring goals, spectacular goals - everything. Just passing. He's a very creative player. He's the most creative player, I think, in the world today. It's why I think he's the best player in the world, because I love this kind of player.''

Manchester City going for Messi: Mission impossible?

Reports have it that City and Paris Saint German have had talks with Jorge Messi (his father and agent) for a move to either of the sides.

For PSG, it is complicated due to the 75% high earner's tax rate while a move to City means that the player would earn €25m per season, it is said.

Football they say is like biscuit which can crack from anywhere, anything can happen as we could see the Barcelona star make a move in the summer or later.