It only makes sense that the two best soccer players in the world are also the highest paid, and that just happens to be the case.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi top Forbes’ list of the highest-paid athletes in the world for 2016, with the Portuguese attacker hauling in $88 million. (REPORT)

Pele has auctioned off a special replica of his 1970 World Cup trophy for over half-a-million dollars ($571,367). Swiss watchmakers Hublot were the reported buyer for the item. (REPORT)

Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan insists new Chelsea coach Antonio Conte and several of the club’s stars want the 28-year-old at Stamford Bridge next season. (REPORT)

Espanyol has named Quique Flores the club’s next head coach, after previously coaching Premier League side Watford during the 2015/16 season (REPORT)

Borussia Dortmund has denied recent reports stating star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will leave the club for Pep Guardiola and Manchester City. (REPORT)

Former Union Berlin coach Sascha Lewandowski has died at age 44. Lewandowski previously coached with Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen prior to taking over with Berlin. (REPORT)

Ricardo Quaresma’s brilliant showing helped guide Portugal to a 7-0 beatdown of Estonia in Wednesday’s friendly. The Portuguese attacker recorded two goals on the afternoon, while being involved of five of the team’s seven finishes. (REPORT)

Former MLB catcher Mike Piazza has bought a majority share in Italian club AC Reggiana. The team currently plays in Italy’s third tier, below both Serie A and Serie B. (REPORT)

Former Liverpool defender Daniel Agger has retired from soccer at the age of 31. (REPORT)

WEDNESDAY REWIND

Jermaine Jones played a huge role in the U.S. Men’s National Team’s 4-0 win against Costa Rica, while John Brooks is quietly developing into a top centerback. (REPORT)

Brazil bounced back from their 0-0 draw with Ecuador on Wednesday with a convincing 7-1 win over Haiti in Group B play. (REPORT)

Jurgen Klinsmann’s decision to roll with the same starting XI against Costa Rica paid off in a big way. (REPORT)

As SBI rolls out our group stage previews for Euro 2016, check out Groups A-C from Wednesday. (Group A, Group B, Group C)