Football, if not already, has become all about sponsorships and the good life. And why not, because the life of a footballer is filled with all the best in life:

• Playing Football
• Exotic Cars
• Big Houses
• Women

Well it might not be exactly like that, I just wish it were like that. David Beckham has already shown the way in the case of endorsements and lucrative contracts with big names such as Adidas, Pepsi and even has his own fragrance. Anyway, Forbes has come out with the Top 10 most valuable football players in the world and none other but our man Ronaldinho tops the list, so lets start with him:

1 - Ronaldinho

Currently Earning: $29.5 Million USD

Reasons For Wealth: In addition to his $11 million salary with Barca, Ronaldinho’s endorsement deals with Nike, EA Sports, Cadbury and Pepsi keep his head way above water, catapulting him to 1st spot. Although he’s having a sub-par season, the club and sponsors obviously think he is worth the money, I and many others think he is too.

Currently Earning: $29.1 Million USD

Everyones favourite marketing tool and he plays the role all so well. During his time at Manchester United and Real Madrid, Beckham was able to solidfy his position as a absolute marksmen with the free kick opportunities. But these we all know him for the lucrative $250 million deal he has striked up with the Los Angeles Galaxy, so Ronaldinho, cherish your #1 spot while you can.

Currently Earning: $23.4 Million USD

We hardly see this man around these days because he is always injured and on the bench for AC Milan. If you recall, he is one of only two people to receive the FIFA Footballer of the Year award three years in a row. Back in the day, Ronaldo was one of the very best, but these days, it looks as though he will follow in Beckham’s footsteps and result to the United States. Good Luck to him.

Currently Earning: $17.2 Million USD

The wonder boy of Manchester United and with the combination of Cristiano Ronaldo, who is surprisingly vacant from this list, have created a plethora of goals for the club. In his early 20’s, Rooney is soon to become a timeless footballer who is known for his reliability and deadly finishing. Recently picked up by Nike, there will be many more endorsements to come.

Currently Earning: $16.8 Million USD

Arriving from the German League, Bayern Munich, Ballack is slowly making a name for himself for Chelsea. He is reportedly being paid $240,000 USD a week, which should keep him far from bored, as he finds his feet amongst the other star midfielders in his team.

Currently Earning: $15.8 Million USD

The French superstar who has stayed faithful and loyal to Arsenal all these years has a nice contract of $220,000 USD a week. This should be enough to keep him there, but the loss of the World Cup final would be a permanent memory to him and for that reason, he will keep going until he gets his hands on it.

Currently Earning: $15.6 Million USD

The French magician has wowed us over the years with his finesse and ouside the box skill and thinking. Unfortunately, he will always be remembered for that headbutt in the World Cup Final, a shame that he ended on that note. Nevertheless, it still hasn’t changed the thoughts on him to his many fans.

Currently Earning: $14.6 Million USD

Leading his side to World Cup glory in 2006, the responsibility and honour of being captain have shot Cannavaro into the spotlight as one of the best defenders in the world today. Earlier he received the FIFA World Player of the Year for 2006, edging out Ronaldinho for the top spot.

Currently Earning: $14.3 Million USD

With his contract at Chelsea ending this year, Terry will be looking to get more out of his contract than what he currently is. Currently captain for both club and country, the Englishman is the face for Umbro, the football manufacturing company and you will see him sponsored by the football game Pro Evolution Soccer.

Currently Earning: $14.2 Million USD

Currently in the English squad and featured in the world cup, local Liverpool boy Gerrard always has a knack of getting his side out of hairy situations. His on field perona is one of high quality and the club realises this. As a result he gets paid handsomely, pretty good considering he has no sponsorship deals as of yet.

I think it was Saturday when I heard about Lionel Messi’s goal against Getafe. Of course many of you know about the game Barcelona had against Getafe and the fact that Ronaldinho wasn’t playing. Anyway, everyone on my football team were talking about a goal that Messi did that was out of this world and was on par with Maradona’s goal against England. I went on to YouTube and I had a look at it and I honestly think it was better than Diego Maradona’s goal. I’m sure the boys over at the Lionel Messi Blog were going crazy for their boy. Anyway, you can find the video below and be prepared to be blown away.

The inspiration for this post comes from the night match that my team, Archangel Michael, had on Wednesday. We got done pretty badly by the other team, I think the score ended up being something like 4-2, in either case I was not a happy player. Neither was the coach. He gathered us around in a circle and started going off at us. I didn’t blame him for being upset because I sure was and you could see the look I had in my eyes, it’s as if I could kill

Why Was I So Angry?

Because we could have won the game so easily, and as a collective group of players we were just too good for them. However, we didn’t gel as a team. I wrote a post about team cohesion yesterday which is a good read. Back to the point at hand, I’m not the smiling type in life, I just don’t smile for the sake of it, maybe that’s why when I do smile, and it looks weird

What Was The Coach Saying?

He got us around in a circle and went off at us. Goodness me, he was annoyed. He went on to say something like this:

That had to be one of the most disgusting performances I have ever seen from this squad. It’s as if in training you come with determination and effort, but when it comes to the actual game, everything we learn at training goes out the window!

I agreed to a certain extent, but I knew why we played the way we did but I didn’t cut in to say anything just yet, I let him continue, but little did I know he was to start talking about the wingers:

Wingers, you complain and say that “How come we never get the ball?” It’s because you never make space for yourself and you never help out the defenders.

I really didn’t like what he said here because I could see the wingers working their butts off running up and down the field the entire game trying to get back to help the defenders and trying to help the attackers. He simply put too much on their shoulders. The three wingers on the team weren’t too happy about it either. I could have talked up and given my own response to the coach and let him really have it. But I didn’t. Read on to find out.

Respect Is Reciprocal

And that is what I needed to display here. Sure I could have pointed out the different things that he said wrong and threaten to stop playing or something stupid like that. However, this is your coach, who is only interested in making sure that you do well and the squad does well. He is the one who will help you become a great player like Ronaldinho and the bringer of the improvement needs to be respected and honoured. You don’t necessarily have to agree with what he says but do as he says and both you and he benefit from it. That is how to keep the harmony and the level of play to a high. If you ever get a chance to see how Coach Rijkaard for Barcelona conducts his team you would be lucky to see that he is a man of reason and order. He is the glue that keeps the team together and working with one another.