Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus is the second-highest paid athlete in the world, behind Barcelona’s Lionel Messi.

The list was released by Forbes magazine and football is increasingly taking hold of the 100 Highest-Paid Athletes issue.

Messi topped the pile for the first time thanks to his Barcelona salary and endorsements, picking up $127m.

Ronaldo comes in second with $109m, as his Juventus wage is $65m compared to Messi’s $92m in Barcelona, but CR7 has $44m in endorsements and La Pulga only has $35m.

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Marco Verratti has called on the FIGC to offer Gianluigi Buffon a role within the Italy set-up. “It would give us an advantage.” 

Italy resume their qualification campaign for Euro 2020 on Saturday with a trip to Greece, and Verratti was full of praise for CT Roberto Mancini.

“Jorginho and I start moves. The ‘mezz’ala’ plays closer to the forwards. Whether we play together changes little,” Verratti said at a Press conference.

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Paris Saint-Germain are said to be preparing a new €70m offer for Napoli midfielder Allan, which would quadruple his salary.

The Brazilian had already been the subject of an approach in January, but all bids were rejected, as President Aurelio De Laurentiis wanted at least €80m.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, PSG are ready to go again with the offer between €60-70m.

They hope to use Allan’s determination to push the move through, as he has been urged to join Paris Saint-Germain by fellow Brazil international Neymar.

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Marcos Cafu and Neymar are among the Brazil heroes congratulating Milan star Lucas Paquetá on his debut Seleçao goal.

The 21-year-old was the only real bright spark in Saturday’s 1-1 friendly draw with Panama.

He scored his first goal for the senior Brazil side on his full debut, wearing the iconic Number 10 jersey.

“Congratulations on the goal! May it be the first of many, champion!” wrote injured Neymar on Instagram.

Now retired Brazil and Milan hero Cafu was also impressed by Paquetá.

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Gianluigi Buffon reveals how he motivates Paris Saint-Germain teammates Marco Verratti, Kylian Mbappé and Neymar. “It depends on mentality.”

The Italy international spoke to RMC in France about his experience in Paris, including advice to much younger companions.

“In my view, if Kylian decides in his mind to become the Number One for the next 10 years, he can do that, but it depends on his mind.

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Edinson Cavani remains the main Napoli target in attack, especially after clashing with Neymar, but Lazio’s Ciro Immobile is another option.

President Aurelio De Laurentiis has never disguised his intentions to bring Cavani back to the Stadio San Paolo, declaring publicly that the Paris Saint-Germain star would have to lower his salary.

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Carlo Ancelotti believes Paris Saint-Germain “can win the Champions League this term,” but Napoli can end those ambitions early.

It kicks off on Tuesday at 20.00 GMT and follows on from the thrilling 2-2 draw at Parc des Princes, where PSG fought back twice to scrape a point.

“It’s an important game and can be decisive for both teams,” Ancelotti told Telefoot.

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As Napoli prepare to face Paris Saint-Germain, Football Italia takes a look at the French champions.

Words: Marcello Cossali-Francis

Napoli return to Champions League football next week and they face the daunting trip to Paris to play PSG in the first of back-to-back games against the French giants.

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Fiorentina winger Marko Pjaca, on loan from Juventus, has publicly denied saying he is “on the same level as Neymar and Eden Hazard.”

The Croatia international was quoted in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport magazine Sportweek.

“I am aiming to become one of the best in the world in my role. At the moment, the best are Neymar and Hazard, but I can be up there with them, as long as I avoid further injuries.”

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Inter are ready to revive their approach for Real Madrid midfielder and Ballon d’Or favourite Luka Modric, claims the Corriere dello Sport.

According to the Italian newspaper, the Croatia international is still not happy at the Bernabeu and remains open to an exit.

The Nerazzurri’s attempts to poach Modric over the summer infuriated Real Madrid, who tried reporting Inter to FIFA and repeatedly criticised them in the media.

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