Zheng Zhi (鄭智)

   Sport: soccer

 2010 ranking: 9 2011 earning: US$1.74 million

Zheng Zhi, born in 1980 in Shenyang, is one of the most famous soccer players in China and the highest-earning soccer star on the list. Starting his career as a defender, Zheng can play any position on the soccer field. In 2002, Zheng Zhi was awarded the title of "Chinese Footballer of the Year."

In 2006, Zheng joined Charlton Athletic and then became the second Chinese player to sign with Celtic. Zheng participated in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games as the captain of the Chinese national football team. In June 2010, he returned to China to play for the Guangzhou Evergrande Football Club.