David Beckham made £50.8 million last year.
The retired footballer's multiple endorsement deals with brands including Adidas and H&M has meant the sport star is earning more now he is off the pitch, and the hefty sum is £15 million more than his highest earnings previously of £34.6 million in 2012.
David, 39, is now second on the Forbes' list of the highest-paid athletes who have retired, behind basketball legend Michael Jordan.
The star - who also has deals with HAIG Club whisky and Coty - retired from football in 2013 after playing for the likes of Manchester United, Real Madrid and as captain of England's national football team.
Meanwhile, it was recently revealed that David - who has Brooklyn, 16, Romeo, 12, Cruz, 10 and Harper, three, with wife Victoria Beckham - paid himself £7.5million last year, whilst the 40-year-old singer-turned-fashion designer took just £750,000.
Accounts filed by his firm Footwork Productions showed he took £20,500 a day whilst Victoria was paid by her Moody Productions business.
And it's not just David that has the knack of raking in money for those he signs deals with, his son Romeo helped to boost sales for luxury brand Burberry when he starred in a four-minute advert for the brand.
The sales of their coats, bags and other garments rose by 14% in the US, Europe and the Middle East to £600 million and the campaign is believed to have caused a 10% increase in the sales of the trademark trenchcoat alone.
Subject: David Beckham earns £50.8m 
