REVEALED: The best-paid player in the world - and it's not Messi or Ronaldo

The best-paid footballer on the planet is an Argentinian forward... but it's not Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi!

According to documents leaked by whistleblowers 'Football Leaks', Ezequiel Lavezzi - Messi's international team-mate - is paid nearly twice as much per week as the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.

Early this year, Lavezzi joined Chinese club Hebei China Fortune from Paris Saint-Germain in an eye-watering deal, reported to be worth £400,000 a week.

However, his newly leaked contract reveals that he is paid even more handsomely than previously thought. The alleged figure would make him the best-paid footballer in the world, with a weekly salary of £493,000. 

By contrast, Messi is still yet to sign a new contract and he is believed to earn around £270,000-a -week - some £223,000 less than 31-year-old Lavezzi.

Messi's rival, Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, signed a new five-year deal last month, at a reported £365,000 per week, while his team-mate Gareth Bale has also committed his future to the La Liga leaders and his weekly wage is said to be more than £350,000 after tax.