The 2010 World Cup has pitted the best football teams against each other with star players proud to wear their country’s colours. But as the tournament continues, the number of high-paid superstars still playing has dwindled. Of the top 10 paid footballers, only one made the finals.

Here is the list of the best paid World Cup players and how they faired.

10. Xavi, Spain - $12.4 million

Xavi, short for Xavier Hernandez I Creus, started with Barcelona at age 11. And has never left. He was voted best player at UEFA Euro 2008. Internationally, the midfielder was the captain of winning team at 1999 FIFA U-20 and the runners up at the Olympics in Sydney the next year. He has not missed a major international tournament since his first for Spain in 2000.

World Cup stats: 0 goals, team in finals against Netherlands

9. Steven Gerrard, England - $13.1 million

Gerrard has only ever played for Liverpool – and England. In 2005, he led Liverpool’s surprise UEFA Champions League win. Known as Captain Fantastic, his career high scoring of 24 goals came in 2008/2009 season leading up to a runners-up spot in the Premier League. For that effort, he was voted the English Football Writers’ Player of the Year. The midfielder, who has more than 80 international caps, says despite England’s poor showing, he wants to keep playing for his country.

World Cup stats: 1 goal, team eliminated by Germany in Round of

8. John Terry, England - $14.6 million

Terry has spent his whole career with Chelsea where, as captain, he led them to two Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006. In 2005, the defender scored 8 goals and was voted English football’s player of the year. Internationally, he has played more than 50 games for England, becoming captain in 2005. The captaincy was taken from him this year after a much-publicized scandal.

World Cup stats: 1 shot, 242 passes, team eliminated by Germany

7. Samuel Eto’o, Cameroon - $18.1

Perhaps it is appropriate that the only African in the list of highest paid World Cup players is also the most decorated African footballer. Eto’o was signed to Real Madrid’s youth club at 15. After a series of moves, he hit his stride in Barcelona where the club won two UEFA Champions League titles as well as numerous Spanish titles. He is now playing with Inter Milan. Internationally, he helped Cameroon win the CAF African Cup of Nations twice and the Olympic gold in Syndney. He has also been named African Player of the Year three times and is the all-time leading scorer on the national team.

World Cup stats: 2 goals, team did not win a game, eliminated

6. Frank Lampard, England - $18.7 million

From a family with deep roots in English football, Lampard is considered one of the best scoring midfielders. He has scored more than 20 goals in each of the last five seasons with Chelsea. In 2005, he helped his club end a 50-year drought of English titles. Internationally, he has scored 20 goals in 82 games and was the leading scorer through England’s qualifying games for South Africa.

World Cup stats: 0 goals, 16 shots, team eliminated by Germany

5. Carlos Tevez, Argentina - $20.3 million

Growing up in a tough suburb of Buenos Aires, Tevez learned to fight for his success. Playing with the Sao Paulo Corinthians, he scored 31 goals in 47 games and helped them win the Brazilian league championship. After rescuing West Ham United’s season in 2006, he went to Manchester United and, after two years, to Manchester City. In his first season he scored more than 20 goals. Internationally, the 26 year old was the top scorer for the Olympic champion team in Athens in 2004.

World Cup stats: 2 goals, team eliminated by Germany in quarter-finals

4. Thierry Henry, France - $23.5 million

At 33, Henry is coming to the end of a brilliant career. His Barcelona club has confirmed that he is leaving this year and is expected to move to North America and play in Major League Soccer. The highlight of his club career was eight years spent playing with Arsenal where was the team captain, the leading goal scorer and voted the best player in the club’s history. With Henry, they won two league titles, three FA Cups and a trip to the Champions League finals. When wearing France’s colours, he became the country’s all-time leading scorer and helped propel the home team to the World Cup title in 1998.

World Cup stats: 0 goals, played 53 minutes during 2 games, team eliminated after first stage

3. Kaka, Brazil - $24.7 million

Kaka, whose rarely used full name is Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite, began playing football at eight and signed his first professional contract at 15. In 2007, he won the Ballon d’Or as the top European footballer and the FIFA World Player of the Year. The same year, his club, AC Milan, won the Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup. He currently plays for Real Madrid. The midfielder played for the Brazilian World Cup champions in 2002 and, in the lead up to the 2010 tournament, won the Adidas Golden Ball award and man of the match during the finals of FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009.

World Cup stats: 0 goals, team eliminated by Netherlands in quarter-finals

2. Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal - $39.4 million

Perhaps second in name recognition only to David Beckham, Ronaldo supplements his hefty contract with sponsorship deals starting with Nike. This enviable situation was created by Ronaldo’s play on the pitch, which is described as graceful and almost ballet-like. He was named FIFA player of the year in 2008 while playing for Manchester United. The next year he moved to Real Madrid. Well-established as a superstar, Ronaldo has not been able to bring his club success to the international stage. An image of him in tears was a hallmark of Portugal’s defeat on home soil to Greece in the UEFA Euro in 2004.

World Cup stats: 1 goal, team eliminated by Spain in round of 16

1. Lionel Messi, Argentina - $43.3 million

At only 5 foot, 6 inches, Messi is small, but packs quite a punch. Praised for his wondrous left foot and incredible technique, Messi was the highest paid and certainly considered the best player at the World Cup. Since 2008, the 23-year-old star has helped Barcelona win numerous club titles including two UEFA Champions leagues and one FIFA Club World Cup crown. In 2009, he was named FIFA World Player. On the international scene, he led Argentina to a victory at the FIFA U-20 in 2005 and an Olympic gold in Beijing.

World Cup stats: 0 goals, team eliminated by Germany in quarter-finals