The third highest paid player in world football in 2011 is a player that very few people may know about.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were in the top two in the Ballon d’Or rankings that year, with Xavi breaking into the top three after a stellar year where he helped Barcelona win the treble.
But while football legends were also in the same position in terms of highest-earning players, a surprise player with a remarkable story won the bronze medal.
Dario Conca spent his entire career without playing in Europe, instead spending his time in his native Argentina, Brazil, China, and the United States.
Following a loan deal with Fluminense, Conca signed permanently with the Brazilian giants, helping them win their first league title in 26 years in 2010.
Voted the best player in the league in consecutive years, Conca signed a lucrative deal with Chinese Super League side Guangzhou Evergrande in 2011 – beginning a period when many South American players moved to the Far East.
The club paid $10 million for his services, with Conca earning £170,000 per week after a two-and-a-half-year contract. Although players in China began to earn more in the following years, salaries were much higher at the time and only Messi and Ronaldo had a better financial situation.
Dario Conca earned over £50 million in his career. Image: Getty
Conca played 99 times for Evergrande, scoring 54 goals and winning three Chinese Super League titles as well as the AFC Champions League.
He moved back to Fluminense where his wages dropped to just £8,000 per week, but he quickly returned to China with Shanghai SIPG, where the late Sven Goran Eriksson managed to bring him to the club after taking the job.
After scoring 17 goals in 58 games, he had a third stint with Fluminense on loan in 2017 and subsequently made just three appearances for Austin Bold FC before retiring.
“Football has given me a lot, I love this career, it was fantastic for me, but today I feel it is the right time for me to stop,” Conca said. GloboEsporte.com In 2019.
“I wasn’t thinking about football today. It gave me a lot, I am very grateful for everything, I managed to build my career, get recognition.”