Cristiano Ronaldo has topped Forbes’ sporting rich list, overshadowing football rival Lionel Messi.
The Saudi Pro League star has dwarfed the rest of his sporting rivals to be named the world’s highest-paid athlete in 2024. Ronaldo’s estimated total earnings of $260million (£205m), as per Forbes, is an all-time high for a footballer and sees him top the list for the fourth time in his career.
Ronaldo left Europe to pen an eye-watering $200m (£158m) annual salary with Al Nassr last year. The 39-year-old also rakes in the dough via his endorsements, including crypto exchange Binance and fitness app Erakulis, alongside deals with Nike, Herbalife, Clear Haircare and Whoop.
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CR7’s place at the top is just over $40m (£31.6m) more than another athlete revelling in the Saudi cash, with LIV Golf star Jon Rahm signing a reported $350m (£276m) guarantee when he joined the tour. The Spaniard has earned $198m on-field, with only $20m (£15.8m) of his total off-field.
In third on the list with $135m (£106m) is Inter Miami’s Messi, who actually brings in more from off-field endorsements and sponsorships than he does through his on-field earnings – the only footballer on the list remotely close to doing so.
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NBA stars LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo follow with $128.2m (£101.3m) and $111m (£87.7m) respectively, with James making almost double off-court than he does turning out for the Los Angeles Lakers, a split of $48.2m (£37.9m) and $80m (£63.2) correspondingly.
Though he isn’t the highest-paid NBA star on the list, that in turn falls to Stephen Curry, who takes home $52m (£41m) on-field and $50m (£39.5m) off-court, leaving him 9th on the list.
Moving back up the list to No.6 is Kylian Mbappe, who pocketed $110m (£86.6m), and former PSG team-mate Neymar in 7th, who took home $108m (£85.3m) at Saudi side Al Hilal.
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While Mbappe earned $10m (£7.8m) more than the Brazilian on his PSG contract, which expires this summer.
Neymar’s endorsement deals with Puma and Fun Brands – to develop his own line of cocktails and mocktails – brings in $8m (£6.3m) more off-field than the Frenchman.
Completing the list of footballers in the top ten is Al-Ittihad star Karim Benzema, whose $106m (£83.7m) earnings is vastly made up of the $100m (£78.9m) on-field payday that being a Ballon d’Or winning, free agent moving to the Middle East brings.
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Rounding off the top ten is Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, who earned a stunning $100.5m (£79m) – more than any other NFL player.
Like Benzema, Jackson’s finances are to thank from his on-field earnings with him pocketing $98.5m (£77.8m).
Forbes’ top ten highest paid athletes 2024:
1. Cristiano Ronaldo – $260m
2. Jon Rahm – $218m
3. Lionel Messi – $135m
4. LeBron James – $128.2m
5. Giannis Antetokounmpo – $111m
6. Kylian Mbappe – $110m
7. Neymar – $108m
8. Karim Benzema – $106m
9. Stephen Curry – $102m
10. Lamar Jackson – $100.5m