Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo has been named the richest football player in the world by leading soccer publication Goal.com.

The reigning World Footballer of the year beat great rival Lionel Messi to the top spot and is estimated to be worth €148m.

The Goal Rich List is compiled by a team of analysts and takes into account all streams of revenue for active footballers over the course of their careers.

Ronaldo succeeds David Beckham, who led the way on the 2013 list but called time on his playing career last May.

According to Goal.com only current professionals are eligible with the earnings of more than 200 contenders assessed before Goal’s experts finalised the top 10.

2014 Rich List according to Goal.com

1. Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid €148m

2. Lionel Messi, Barcelona €146m

3. Samuel Eto’o, Chelsea €85m

4. Wayne Rooney, Manchester United €84m

5. Kaka, AC Milan €82m

6. Neymar & family, Barcelona €80m

7. Ronaldinho, Atletico Mineiro €78m

8. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paris St-Germain €69m

9. Gianluigi Buffon, Juventus €63m

10. Thierry Henry, New York Red Bulls €57m