When it comes to South American football, most people will talk about either Argentina or Brazil.
However, while they may not be the most successful country in their continent, Columbia has been known for producing some quality players over the years.
With a number of those players deciding to go overseas, mainly to Europe to follow their footballing dreams, there are many who are getting a decent wage through playing football.
This post sees us look at the 10 highest-paid Columbian footballers in the world, along with the weekly wage they are currently bringing in.
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10. David Ospina – £48,000 A Week
A Columbian who recently had a spell in England with Arsenal is David Ospina who is currently making £48,000 for Napoli in Italy.
Captain for his country, the keeper struggled to make a mark in England only featuring 29 times mostly being the second fiddle to Wojciech Szczesny.
However, since moving to Italy he has certainly found his feet, becoming first-choice keeper over Alex Meret featuring over 38 times in two years.
While most Arsenal fans may have forgotten about him, his impact in the early running of the Serie A which has his team unbeaten after 7 games, and conceding only 2 goals so far has got many talking about him.
9. Jefferson Lerma – £55,000 A Week
A solid defensive footballer who has established himself as a key piece of Columbia’s midfield, is Bournemouth’s, Jefferson Lerma.
Signed for €30 million back in 2018, the Columbian now finds himself battling it out playing championship football.
Being a big signing and with them playing premier league football back when he signed, a salary of £55,000 was agreed.
8. Luis Muriel – £59,000 A Week
One of two Columbians at Atalanta who has helped the club grow in previous seasons, is Luis Muriel.
The pacey striker who turned 30 earlier this year, has scored an impressive 41 goals in 73 games since transferring from Fiorentina in 2019.
After a previous loan in which he excelled, the forward put pen to a £59,000 a week deal.
7. Duvan Zapata – £61,000 A Week
The second of the Columbians playing for the Le Dea is the equally prolific striker Duvan Zapata.
Having spent eight seasons in the Serie A, while he has been amongst the goals with clubs Napoli, Udinese, and Sampdoria, the player turned the gas on when moving to Atalanta in 2018.
Initially on a loan deal for 1 years, he scored 23 goals in 37 appearances.
This proved to not be a fluke, as after completing a permanent deal that saw him get a £61,000 a week deal he scored 65 league goals combined over the 2019 and 2020 seasons.
6. Davinson Sanchez – £65,000 A Week
After impressing in the 2016 Europa League final for Ajax, Tottenham went out and brought him for £42 million deal.
This saw the center-back get awarded a 6-year deal, consisting of £65,000 a week.
Since making the move, alongside Jerry Mina, he has been the first choice for country. In the capital, he is now in his 5th season with the Spurs making over 155 appearances.
5. Juan Fernando Quintero – £95,000
Juan Fernando Quintero a technically gifted footballer with a wand of a left foot, was once dubbed as one of the most promising players to come out of Columbia.
Despite an impressive 2018, where he helped River Plate triumph in the 2018 Copa Libertadores and his country reach the second round of the World Cup.
He has somewhat failed to live up to the hype with brief and uneventful spells with Porto and Rennes.
Now at 28, the player has recently signed for Chinese outfit Shenzhen, a move that may come as a surprise with more players moving out than in.
Keeping in line with the big wages clubs from that country are known for paying their players, he is set to receive £95,000 a week.
4. Giovanni Moreno – £108,000
While not everyone will be familiar with Giovanni Moreno, since he has played the majority of his career in China, he is the 4th highest-paid footballer.
Signing for Shanghai Shenhua in 2012, he has over 200 games scoring 70 goals. To reward his loyalty he has received a number of contract extensions, with the latest one seeing him earn £108,000 a week.
3. James Rodriquez – £114,000
Ever since lighting up the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, James Rodriquez has struggled to replicate form at league level.
After a blockbuster signing for Real Madrid, a loan move to Bayern Munich, and a surprise move to Everton, it hasn’t worked out.
In fact, he has gone from being his countries star, to not even being considered for his nation’s recent Copa America and World Cup qualifying fixtures.
Now out in Qatar after signing for Al-Rayyan, after a sour exit in Merseyside, it does look like the playmaker is seeing out his career.
In what would be a shame for someone with so much talent and still in technically is the prime stage of his career.
2. Yerry Mina – £135,000
Next up we have another Columbian footballer for Everton, who is top of the books for the toffees bringing in £135,000 a week.
The center-back who is physically strong and great in the air came into the UK on the back of a short stint with Barcelona.
Now while being a sturdy player at the back for Everton, a lot of English supporters will remember him from the world cup game between Columbia and England.
Where his last-minute goal was the reason why the tie ended up going to penalties.
1. Juan Cuadrado – £150,000 A Week
The highest-paid Columbian footballer is Juventus player Juan Cuadrado.
Arguably being his nation’s key player he also has one of the biggest salaries for a right-back in the world.
The right-sided defender has gone from strength to strength, ever since finalizing a move to Turin in 2017.
At the age of 33, he is become very dependable and has played instrumental roles for his club in big games.
Not only has he made 100 appearances for Juventus, but he has also done so for country.
Playing over 100 times since making his debut in 2010 aged 22.
During that time he has been involved in 5 Copa America campaigns.
As well as featuring in the world cup hosted nearby in Brazil 2014 along with most recently Russia 2018.
Playing for one of the best teams in the world was always going to get him a good deal.
However, despite being on 150k a week, his contract is set to expire soon with him and the club discussing options for a 2-year extension.
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