Ronaldo Leads Forbes’ Highest-paid Athletes

Cristiano Ronaldo has been ranked as the world’s highest-paid athlete by Forbes. This development comes after his move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr nearly doubled his annual playing salary. Forbes reported that the 38-year-old who joined the Saudi club on a deal until 2025 earned $136m which took his annual playing salary went up to an estimated $75m.

After leaving Manchester United, Ronaldo joined Al Nassr to help promote the game in Saudi Arabia. Media reports estimate Ronaldo’s contract to be worth more than 200 million euros ($219.98m). 

The American magazine also revealed that 35-year-old Lionel Messi and 24-year-old Kylian Mbappe ranked second and third on the list. The Paris St Germain forward Messi brought home a combined $130m while club teammate and France captain Mbappe earned $120m.

Tangent:

US LeBron James makes Forbes list 

U.S. basketball player and one of the world’s richest Black individuals, LeBron James, reportedly garnered a whopping $119.5 million in earnings between the periods of May 1, 2022, and May 1, 2023. He occupied the fourth position amongst the highest-paid sports stars globally.

Considered one of the greatest NBA Players in history, LeBron’s earnings are a combination of on-field earnings of $44.5 million in prize money, salaries, and bonuses, and off-field earnings of $76 million from sponsorship deals, appearance fees, memorabilia, and licensing income.

Other athletes on the list include Los Mexican boxer Canelo Alvarez who came 5th with $110m and Former world number one Dustin Johnson occupied the sixth position with 107m. LIV golfer Phil Mickelson, Four-time NBA champion Stephen Curry, Phoenix Suns’ Kevin Durant and Former tennis ace Roger Federer occupied the 7th,8th,9th and 10th positions with $106m, $100.4m, $89.1m and $95.1m respectively.  Federer is the only retired player in the top 10.