Players strike it rich.......as models tap into assets

IT’S not enough that they are sickeningly beautiful, but most of the world’s top models are also multimillionaires — with the top five raking in $70 million (€45m) between them last year.

But the competition on the catwalk is hotting up with some of the modelling world’s best-known names being pushed aside by the youngsters.

Names like Heidi Klum and Kate Moss are still among the top five but hot on their heels in six-inch stilettos are newcomers Adriana Lima and Doutzen Kroes.

The latest Forbes list of the top earning supermodels puts 23-year-old Kroes in fifth spot, up from second-last place — having earned $6m (€3.9m) last year.

According to the list Kroes landed herself one of the modelling world’s most lucrative contracts — with Victoria’s Secret.

The American lingerie company have been known to pay the likes of Gisele Bundchen $5m (€3.2m) a year.

Although that contract has ended for Bundchen she has still some 20 other contracts left — including a multimillion-dollar contract with Pantene.

Other models on the Forbes list include Carolyn Murphy in eighth spot with $4.5m (€2.9m) earnings and Miranda Kerr in 10th place with $3.5m (€2.3).

But the supermodels of the last decade are nowhere to be seen.

There was no space for Claudia Schiffer, Naomi Campbell, Elle MacPherson or Cindy Crawford.

As Heidi Klum said: “In fashion, one day you’re in and the next you’re out.”

Seems like the same can be said of the Forbes list.

DAVID BECKHAM earned more than Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard and Didier Drogba combined last year.

The LA Galaxy superstar was the world’s top-earning footballer, while his former employers Manchester United were named soccer’s most valuable team.

The latest Forbes list of the world’s most valuable clubs gives the Premier League champions a value of $1.8 billion (€1.2bn) — a 24% increase on last year.

Spain’s Real Madrid, also a former club of Beckham’s, was second on the list at $1.28bn (€827,905).

However, the top 10 list is dominated by British clubs.

Arsenal came third and Liverpool climbed seven spots to fourth after its value more than doubled to $1bn (€646,560).

Bayern Munich, AC Milan, Barcelona, Chelsea, Juventus and Schalke rounded out the top 10.

Meanwhile, of the $49 million (€31.6m) Beckham made last year — $12m (€€7.8m) was salary from the Galaxy and $37m (€24m) was from the sale of image rights and endorsements with companies such as Adidas and Pepsi.

The superstar further fuelled his hype by signing a three-year underwear contract deal with Armani — worth over $20m (€13m).

In second spot on the list was Ronaldinho, with an income of $32.6m (€21.1m), placing him ahead of Barcelona teammate Thierry Henry, AC Milan’s Ronaldo and Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo.

The report also notes that the Emirates Stadium, completed for the Arsenal team in 2006 at a cost of $860m (€556m), is a gold mine.

During the 2006/07 season Arsenal’s match-day revenue was $155m (€100m) versus $82m (€53m) during the team’s last season at Highbury.