Cristiano Ronaldo led Forbes’ list of highest-paid sportsmen for the fourth time in his career, while Spanish golfer Jon Rahm rose to second following his spectacular move to Saudi-backed LIV Golf.
Ronaldo became the world’s highest-paid athlete after joining Saudi Arabian team Al Nassr, with Forbes estimating his total earnings at around $260 million, an all-time high for a player.
His on-field earnings were $200 million, and his off-field earnings were $60 million, courtesy to sponsorship deals with firms that leveraged his 629 million Instagram followers.
Ronaldo stated on Wednesday that he hopes to continue his football career “at a high level” despite approaching his 40th birthday.
Rahm, a two-time major winner, joined LIV Golf in December in a big-money deal that shook the sport when media reports suggested the world No. 5 would be paid at least $300 million.
Aside from the guarantee, Rahm has earned $218 million, joining Ronaldo as the only two athletes to earn more than $200 million.
Lionel Messi, the record eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, is third on the list after making a lucrative move to Major League Soccer team Inter Miami, where he earned $135 million.
The 36-year-old has earned $65 million on the field but $70 million off it because to sponsorship deals with major brands like Adidas and Apple.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James ranks fourth with $128.2 million, and despite the fact that the 39-year-old American, the first NBA player to reach 40,000 career points, is nearing the end of his career, he is poised to compete in one more Olympics.
Cristiano Ronaldo has 42 goals in 41 games across all competitions for Al Nassr this season. Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images.
Fellow NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo ($111 million) of the Milwaukee Bucks completes the top five, while France captain Kylian Mbappé has slid to sixth ($110 million).
Mbappé confirmed his departure from Paris Saint-Germain after seven years in the French capital, where he became the club’s all-time leading scorer, and the 25-year-old is set to join Spanish heavyweights Real Madrid in 2024-25.
Former PSG star Neymar, who transferred to the Saudi Pro League to join Al Hilal, is eighth ($108 million) after missing the majority of the season due to a torn ACL.
Karim Benzema, a French striker who also moved to Saudi Arabia, is ranked ninth ($106 million), followed by Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry ($102 million).
Lamar Jackson is the only NFL athlete on the list, ranking 10th ($100.5 million) because to the signing bonus negotiated into his new Baltimore Ravens contract last year.