Cristiano Ronaldo tops the charts when it comes to Forbes’ run down of the 10 highest-paid athletes, with Lionel Messi having to settle for third.

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• Portuguese superstar out in front
• Eternal rival trailing in his wake
• Neymar & Benzema also in top 10

• Table of Contents

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  For the first time, every entrant on the star-studded chart is pulling in over $100 million (£79m) on an annual basis. It comes as no surprise to find that Portuguese icon Ronaldo occupies first place, as he is working on the most lucrative contract in world football.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Ronaldo earns £157m ($199m) a year at Al-Nassr – where he has plundered 48 goals this season – while making up a further £48m ($61m) in a wide range of endorsement and sponsorship deals. His eternal rival, eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi, makes £107m ($135m) per year – with the Argentine superstar, who is now plying his club trade in MLS for Inter Miami, earning more away from the field than he does on it.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Kylian Mbappe, who is expected to link up with Real Madrid this summer as he prepares to leave Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent, occupies sixth spot on £87m ($110m). His former PSG team-mate Neymar, who is now in Saudi Arabia with Ronaldo at Al-Hilal, brings in £85m ($108m) while former Madrid striker Karim Benzema – another of those in the Middle East at present – fills eighth spot on £84m ($106m).

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  WHAT NEXT?

  The biggest mover on the chart is golf star Jon Rahm, who now sits second on £172m ($218m) courtesy of his lucrative LIV deal. NBA greats LeBron James (£101m/$128m) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (£88m/$111m) occupy fourth and fifth respectively, while Golden State Warriors legend Steph Curry sits ninth on £81m ($103m). The top 10 is rounded off by Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (£79m/$100m), with a £57m ($72m) signing bonus received when penning the new contract that he negotiated – while acting as his own agent – in 2023.

Tags: Futebol
Category: News