Forbes has announced Cristiano Ronaldo as the world’s highest paid athlete for the first time since 2017 following his move to Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr.
According to Forbes, the 38-year-old Portugal forward earned £108.7million over the past 12 months with his contract with Al Nassr reportedly worth more than £176.5million per year.
Argentina’s World Cup-winning captain Lionel Messi is second on Forbes’ list having earned £103.9million.
The top 10 on the list also features basketball stars LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant as well as boxer Canelo Alvarez, with 20-time tennis Grand Slam champion Roger Federer the only retired athlete on the list in ninth place.
Dustin Johnson (sixth) and Phil Mickelson (seventh) are the first golfers to make the top 10 since Tiger Woods in 2020.
Forbes’ figures include both on-field earnings – including salaries, prize money and bonuses – and off-field earnings – sponsorship deals, appearance fees and memorabilia and licensing income.
The Top 10 are:
1. Cristiano Ronaldo, football: £108.7m
2. Lionel Messi, football: £103.9m
3. Kylian Mbappe, football: £95.9m
4. LeBron James, basketball: £95.5m
5. Canelo Alvarez, boxing: £87.9m
6. Dustin Johnson, golf: £85.5m
7. Phil Mickelson, golf: £84.7m
8. Stephen Curry, basketball: £80.2m
9. Roger Federer, tennis: £76m
10. Kevin Durant, basketball: £71.2m