Cristiano Ronaldo Tops Forbes’ List of Highest-Paid Athletes for Third Consecutive Year
Cristiano Ronaldo has once again claimed the title of the world’s highest-paid athlete, according to Forbes, marking the third year in a row and the fifth time in his illustrious career. The Portuguese forward’s estimated total earnings have surged to approximately $275 million, following his high-profile move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr.
Ronaldo’s impressive income includes a $15 million increase from off-field endorsements and lucrative sponsorship deals, driven largely by his massive social media following, which boasts an astonishing 939 million followers as of May.
In the rankings, Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry has made headlines by jumping to second place with earnings of $156 million. Curry recently became the first NBA player to hit 4,000 career three-pointers, further enhancing his marketability.
Boxing champion Tyson Fury secured third place with $146 million in earnings. Despite losing his heavyweight titles to Oleksandr Usyk in December, Fury’s income has been bolstered by partnerships promoting Maltese tourism and his popular Netflix reality show.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott ranks fourth with $137 million, thanks to record-breaking signing bonuses and a lucrative contract extension. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi has dropped to fifth place with $135 million, maintaining his earnings after joining Major League Soccer side Inter Miami and continuing his endorsements with brands like Adidas and Apple.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James rounds out the top six with $133.8 million, as he approaches the twilight of his remarkable career. In seventh place, MLB’s Juan Soto earned $114 million, highlighted by his historic $765 million, 15-year contract.
French striker Karim Benzema, now playing for Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad, ranks eighth with earnings of $104 million. Japanese sensation Shohei Ohtani comes in ninth with $102.5 million, benefitting from a deferred mega-contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, which was significantly boosted by their World Series victory.
Completing the top ten is Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant, who earned $101.4 million, showcasing the immense financial rewards available to elite athletes across various sports.
