According to Forbes, Cristiano Ronaldo has made a spectacular financial leap to become the world’s highest-paid athlete. This increase in income comes as a result of his transfer to the Saudi Arabian football team Al-Nassr, which nearly doubled his yearly salary. Lionel Messi of Barcelona and Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain, who are ranked second and third, are closely behind.
Ronaldo’s earnings skyrocketed to an astounding $136 million after he left Manchester United for Al-Nassr last year, with his yearly salary soaring to a rumoured $75 million. According to media estimates, the value of Ronaldo’s contract is a staggering 200 million euros ($219.98 million).
With a total earnings of $130 million, PSG forward Lionel Messi, 35, is second on the list. At the age of 24, his teammate and captain of France, Kylian Mbappe, has taken third place with $120 million. It’s important to note that Qatar Sports Investments is the company that owns PSG.
With earnings of $119.5 million and $110 million, respectively, boxer Canelo Alvarez from Mexico and basketball legend Lebron James of the Los Angeles Lakers round out the top five.
The rise of LIV Golf, a rebel tour that lured top PGA Tour players with sizable financial incentives, was another event of the year. Its top 10 players include two of its players. The biggest improvement was made by Dustin Johnson, who switched to LIV Golf, climbing from outside the top 50 in 2022 to sixth place with $107 million. Phil Mickelson, a fellow LIV golfer, is currently in seventh place with $106 million.
NBA champions Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns ($89.1 million) and Stephen Curry ($100.4 million), as well as former tennis great Roger Federer ($95.1 million), round out the top 10.
According to Forbes, the on-field earnings consist of all wages, incentives, and winnings from the previous year. Meanwhile, earnings from sponsorship agreements, licencing revenue, appearance fees, and profits from businesses they own are estimated.
