Italy’s La Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper has published the wages of the top players in Serie A, and the financial issues that are griping the country are reflected in the wages paid to the country’s top stars.
Only 12 players across the country earn in excess of €4m per year (note that is a net amount after taxes). Roma’s Daniele De Rossi is the highest-earning footballer in Italy earning €6.5m per year, €1m more than Napoli’s Gonzalo Higuain and €2m more than Francesco Totti.
| 1. |
Daniele De Rossi |
Roma | €6.5m |
| 2. | Gonzalo Higuain |
Napoli | €5.5m |
| 3. | Diego Milito |
Inter | €5m |
| 4. | Esteban Cambiasso |
Inter | €4.5m |
| 4. | Carlos Tevez |
Juventus | €4.5m |
| 6. | Francesco Totti |
Roma | €4.5m |
| 7. | Mario Gomez |
Fiorentina | €4.25m |
| 8. | Gianluigi Buffon |
Juventus | €4m |
| 8. | Mario Balotelli |
Milan | €4m |
| 8. | Kaka |
Milan | €4m |
| 8. | Philippe Mexes | Milan | €4m |
| 8. | Marco Borriello | Roma | €4m |
To put De Rossi’s wages in context, Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Monaco striker Radamel Falcao both earn a reported €14m net per year, while Lionel Messi makes €13m.
The table shows what a tremendous job that AC Milan have done over the last 18 months slashing their payroll. With Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva they had the two of the highest earners in Serie A. But they have been able to slash their wage bill and also convince players like Mario Balotelli and Kaka to take pay cuts to play for them.
At the other end of the wage table there are some players who are playing well above what they are getting paid. Some notably low-earners include Juventus wonderkid Paul Pogba (€1m), Lazio’s Italy regular Antonio Candreva (€900,000), Napoli wing back Juan Zuniga (€800,000) and Fiorentina dribbling sensation Juan Cuadrado (€600,000).