Want Backheel Breakfast in your inbox? Sign up for the email version here.
The 2 highest paid soccer players in the world are now in the Chinese Super League
Real Madrid and Barcelona’s stars are no longer on top of the world. Carlos Tevez and Oscar make more than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Scott Halleran/Getty Images
The Chinese Super League’s aggressive growth is only accelerating this year. Carlos Tevez is heading to Shanghai Shenhua, where he’s expected to make nearly $40 million per year. Oscar, moving to rivals Shanghai SIPG, will take in a reported $26 million in base salary. That’s just a hair more than Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Gareth Bale make.
Ronaldo and Messi are both likely to make more than Oscar and Tevez when endorsements are factored in, though who knows what kind of new Asian endorsements Oscar and Tevez’s moves will bring. One has to wonder how big of a salary Ronaldo or Messi could demand if they made a move to China.
Goal of the day
In the news
USMNT player Julian Green has signed for Stuttgart. (Stars and Stripes FC)
Borussia Mönchengladbach has fired coach André Schubert. (Borussia)
Marc Wachs, a German player on Dynamo Dresden, is in serious condition after being shot. (BBC)
Robert Snodgrass has refused to sign a new contract with Hull, so they could sell him in January. (Guardian)
Honduran international Alberth Elis has joined Houston Dynamo. (ESPN FC)
The Chicago Fire has signed Hungarian international Nemanja Nikolic. (MLS)
Barcelona has been given a reason for Real Madrid getting their transfer ban reduced: Madrid listened to FIFA’s warning, Barca did not. (AS)
You should be reading
Simon Parkin on the birth of EA Sports FIFA. (Guardian)
Adam Hurrey on Bob Bradley’s Americanisms and the insular nature of the Premier League. (ESPN FC)
Will Sharp on Motherwell’s incredible 1991 Scottish Cup triumph. (These Football Times)
What happened on Tuesday
Atlético Madrid advanced in the Copa del Rey. (Into The Calderon)
Borussia Dortmund slumped to a draw, and might be out of the title race. (Fear The Wall)
What to watch on Wednesday (click for listings, all times ET)
Bundesliga: 6 games (2 p.m. ET) -- Bayern vs. RBL is a must-watch.
Serie A: Inter Milan vs. Lazio (2:45 p.m.) -- Two of the teams fighting for European spots in Italy.
Copa del Rey: Barcelona vs. Hércules (4 p.m.) -- Barca needs to win after a poor first leg performance, but is still resting their stars.
See More:
