Ronaldinho is top paid footballer

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LONDON, England -- Manchester United are the richest team in world football and Ronaldinho the highest-earning player, according to a survey by Forbes magazine.

The Premier League club is worth $1.453 billion, according to the American business magazine.

United have only the fourth-highest annual revenue at $310 million but are ranked first overall in financial value because of "superior growth prospects," Forbes said.

Real Madrid are ranked second at $1.036 billion and have the highest revenue of US$374 million.

Arsenal are the third most valuable at $915 million, but their revenue of $246 million is only ninth overall.

Bayern Munich, AC Milan, Juventus, Inter Milan, Chelsea, FC Barcelona and Schalke round out the top 10.

Forbes said its value estimates are based on past transactions, market value and debt of publicly traded teams and current stadium deals.

Manchester United were one of 10 English teams in the top 25, with four each from Italy and Germany, two from Spain, France and Scotland, and one from the Netherlands.

Barcelona star Ronaldinho moved to the top of the richest soccer player list, relegating David Beckham to second.

The Brazilian is worth $29.5 million according to Forbes, with Beckham at $29.1 million.

Beckham is likely to go back to the top spot when he moves to the Los Angeles Galaxy, of Major League Soccer, this summer.

The top 10 is rounded out by Ronaldo (AC Milan), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Michael Ballack (Chelsea), Thierry Henry (Arsenal), Zinedine Zidane (retired), Fabio Cannavaro (Real Madrid), John Terry (Chelsea), and Steven Gerrard (Liverpool).

Forbes used revenues and operating income for the 2005-06 season and converted the figure into U.S. dollars based on June 30, 2006, exchange rates.

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