Christmas comes every day for Chinese Super League stars Ezequiel Lavezzi, Graziano Pelle, Hulk and Eran Zahavi
Carlos Tevez is the biggest earner in the mega-money division but he still finds the time to insult his new home
CHRISTMAS seems to come every day for the mega-money stars of the Chinese Super League.
While Prem stars at West Ham and Man United were training on Xmas day and rivals sides were travelling or preparing for Boxing Day matches, the CSL was enjoyed a break.
And the super-earners like Ezequiel Lavezzi, ex-Southampton man Graziano Pelle, master mercenary Hulk and Israeli sensation Eran Zahavi are putting their lucre to good use.
Ex-Chelsea midfielder Oscar is banking his retirement fund out in the new league – but has been shown by Brazil team-mate Paulinho that a return to top European football is still possible.
While ex-Manchester United and Man City striker Carlos Tevez is regularly reported to be unhappy at earning £630,000-a-week.
Former Napoli goal machine Lavezzi is indulging in the expensive hobby or wine collecting – and drinking – with his £400,000-a-week salary.
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And Hulk – who swapped big-spending Russian side Zenit St Petersburg for silly-spending Shanghai SIPG – has a taste for dressing his family in matching clothes and posing on luxury boats.
Ex-Saint Pelle is expected to bank over £30m from his two and half years in China, despite having scored only 12 goals so far and the Italian is splurging on holidays around the globe.
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Zahavi is the division’s top scorer but one of the lowest earning foreign imports on a measly £70,000-a-week.
But his £16k goal bonus has kept him out of poverty as he’s bagged 27 so far and been pictured celebrating with pals and a champagne-popping pistol.
Money cannot buy everyone in the league happiness, as Tevez is still moping around Shanghai Shenhua slagging off the local players.
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Earlier in the season, he said: “Chinese players are not as naturally skilled like South American or European players.
“Like players who learned football when they were kids.
"They’re not good.
“Even in 50 years, they still won’t be able to compete.”