Ronaldinho has been rated as the most commercially valuable football player in the world, according to a new study.

The Barcelona ace, 26, is worth 32.6 million pound, more than English duo David Beckham (31.2m pound) and Wayne Rooney (30.4m pound), who are second and third respectively.

Beckham still has the best-known face, but Ronaldinho's age andrecent feats make him a better marketing prospect, says consultancy firm BBDO Germany.

"Beckham owes his second place in the ranking to his status as the 'metrosexual' prototype and the lucrative contracts this generated for him," added BBDO.

Ronaldinho, who is five years younger than Beckham, was voted Fifa World Player of the Year the past two years.

Editor: Donald