What phrase completes the statement about Brazilian players' salaries?

The phrase "said to earn the highest" effectively completes the statement about Brazilian players' salaries because it clearly indicates that these players are regarded as having the highest earnings compared to their peers, likely in relation to other football players around the world.

This choice uses a commonly understood construction that implies a reputation or belief in the earnings of Brazilian players, which is relevant in the context of salaries in sports, where various teams and regions may have players with varying salary scales.

In contrast, the other options convey slightly different meanings. The phrase "considered to have the best" shifts the focus from salaries to overall talent or skill, which is not what the statement is about. "Thought to earn more" implies that Brazilian players earn more than a specified group but lacks clarity on what that comparison is. "Believed to be richer" also strays from the explicit context of salaries and instead suggests a general notion of wealth, which does not directly address the specifics of earnings in the football context. Thus, the chosen phrase best aligns with the intended meaning regarding salary comparisons.