(File photo)

Citing data from whistleblower Football Leaks, German weekly news magazine Der Spiegel claimed that the world’s highest-salaried soccer player is Argentine striker Ezequiel Iván Lavezzi, who is currently earning $56.7 million for a two-year contract with soccer club Hebei China Fortune in China’s Super League.

If this claim is accurate, then the 31-year-old forward has outearned his Argentine teammate Lionel Messi and Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo, whose annual after-tax salaries were around $24 million and $23.2 million respectively.

Lavezzi plays for the Argentine national team as a forward. He used to play for Paris Saint-Germain before joining the Chinese club in February. Hebei China Fortune also sweetened the deal with two furnished houses, two cars, a cook and a driver, soccer news site As.com reported.

The club has not responded to news regarding the foreign talent's compensation, though they are known for their heavy investment in team-building. The club's management also signed Ivorian national team player Gervais Lombe Yao Kouassi, while the team’s head coach is Manuel Pellegrini, former manager of Manchester City.

It is becoming increasingly common to see foreign players in China’s Super League, usually lured with high salaries and generous contracts. Shanghai Shenhua is reportedly eying a contract with Argentine striker Carlos Tevez, tendering a salary of $45 million.

“One must pay high prices to invite soccer stars to play in China,” said Song Qingyun, a domestic soccer manager. “Those famous players demand a high salary, but more are joining Chinese clubs these days. With more supplies, the price may go down. Some players may not earn as much, but they will still play well on their teams,” Song told Thepaper.cn.

Meanwhile, Wang Dazhao, an executive commission member of the Chinese Football Association, warned that Chinese clubs may be focusing too much on attracting established players, rather than seeking and training new talent.

“As a result, salaries for both foreigners and Chinese soccer players will increase, but talent will be on the decline. In turn, prices for good players will jump, and it will turn into a pure business exchange,” Wang noted.