Cristiano Ronaldo Tops Highest-Paid Athlete List

By Kaushiki Last updated May 17, 2024 Share with new partner:

For the fourth time in his career, Cristiano Ronaldo is the best-paid athlete according to Forbes.

After switching to the Saudi-backed LIV Golf, Spanish golfer Jon Rahm finished in second position.

Following his transfer to the Saudi Arabian team, Ronaldo became the highest-paid athlete in the world. The 39-year-old’s estimated total earnings, according to Al Nassr and Forbes, were approximately $260 million (£205 million), which is a record for a football player.

$200 million (£158 million) was his revenue on the field, and $60 million (£47 million) was his revenue off the field from sponsorship agreements where companies leveraged his 629 million Instagram followers.

With $218 million (£172 million), Rahm becomes the first athlete after Ronaldo to earn more than $200 million.

Lionel Messi, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, comes in third place on the list. Messi earned $135 million (£107 million) after joining Major League Soccer outfit Inter Miami.

On the field, the 36-year-old brought in $65 million (£51 million), but he also made $70 million (£55 million) from endorsement deals with Adidas and Apple.

LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers ended in fourth place with $128 million (£101 million), while Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo came in fifth place with $111 million (£88 million).

With $110 million (£87 million), France football captain Kylian Mbappe fell to sixth place.

Despite missing much of the season due to an ACL tear, Neymar, who also relocated to the Saudi Pro League to join Al-Hilal, is in eighth place with $108 million (£85 million).

Eighth on the list with $106 million (£84 million) is French striker Karim Benzema, who also relocated to Saudi Arabia. Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry is next with $102 million (£80 million).

Thanks to the signing bonus he received when he signed a new contract with the Baltimore Ravens last year, Lamar Jackson is the only NFL player on the list, coming in at number 10 with $101 million (£80 million).