I was the world’s third highest-paid player behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi – I retired to play golf
MANY footballers dream of earning the same amount as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, but Dario Conca managed it.
The little-known Argentine was at one point the third highest-paid footballer in the world.
Conca, 40, was a star in South America for over ten years of his career as he played for the likes of River Plate, Vasco da Gama, and Fluminense.
However in 2011, he made the move to China before the peak of the Chinese Super League's financial muscle.
He was bought by Guangzhou Evergrande for £7.6million who handed a two-and-a-half-year contract worth an incredible £170,000 per week.
Only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi were earning more than him at the time while starring for Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively.
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Conca may not have challenged the duo for Ballon d'Or awards or Champions Leagues, but he did excel in China.
He netted 54 goals in 99 appearances across three seasons, although he did become a controversial figure.
The Argentine was handed a nine-game ban after questioning manager Lee Jang-soo's decision to sub him off.
He said at the time: "I don't understand why they always sideline me with the excuse that I'm exhausted and need rest.
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"How could I have scored a crucial penalty if I'm not in condition?
"And why does the coach always have Conca take a rest?"
During Conca's suspension, the club changed manager to Italian legend Marcello Lippi who brought him back into the team.
Overall he was a success in China as he won three CSL titles and an AFC Champions League.
He then left China in 2014 as he returned to the Brazilian outfit Fluminense, which saw his salary drop by £162,000 per week to just £8,000.
But after just one year he was on his way back to China as he was signed by former England manager Sven Goran Eriksson for Shanghai SIPG.
Of Conca, Eriksson said: “Conca is like Messi, he is the same size, he is left footed, he is a fantastic dribbler and he makes and scores a lot of goals.”
“When I came here, he was the one player I wanted more than any other.”
The Argentine retired from football in 2019, aged 36, having earned more than £50million.
GOLF MOVE
Conca has since swapped his boots for clubs as is focused on becoming a professional golfer.
Speaking to in 2019, he said: “Football has given me a lot, I love this career, it was fantastic for me, but today I think it’s the right time for me to stop.”
“I was not thinking about football today.
"It gave me a lot, I’m very grateful for everything, I managed to make a career, to have recognition.
"I've already started on the golf course, I always wanted to play, to discover new sports. (Golf) always caught my attention.
"Today I have more time to dedicate myself, to do something that motivates me to overcome myself.
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"You think I start playing games, right? I want to play golf (laughs). It happens with every player, we feel that desire to compete, to always want to come and improve every day. Let's start as a joke, like another sport.
"Then we'll see. I'll try to do my best, prepare myself, train and then we'll see how far to go."
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