Cristiano Ronaldo emerged as the highest-earning athlete globally in 2023, with Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi securing the third position on the list.
Ronaldo’s substantial earnings stemmed from his lucrative contract with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, amounting to an astounding £218 million ($275 million) throughout the year.
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This figure places him at the pinnacle of the highest-paid athletes, with a notable margin of £57 million more than the second-ranked athlete, golfer Jon Rahm, who earned £161 million ($203 million).
Following closely behind, Messi, who transferred from Paris Saint-Germain to Inter Miami the previous summer, claimed the third spot, accumulating £103 million ($130 million) in earnings.
Basketball icon LeBron James secured the fourth position with £99.8 million ($126 million), while Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe rounded off the top five with £99.2 million ($125 million).
Following Mbappe closely, Al-Hilal and Brazilian forward Neymar amassed £96 million ($121 million) in earnings during 2023, securing a notable position on the list. The next highest earner in football, Karim Benzema, claimed the 12th spot with earnings of £61 million ($77 million).
Ronaldo’s presence at the top of the list is unsurprising, given his lucrative two-year contract with Al-Nassr, valued at an astonishing £175 million ($221 million) annually.
Additionally, the 39-year-old boasts numerous lucrative sponsorships with other brands, amounting to approximately £48 million ($60 million).
Both Ronaldo and Messi are poised for another financially rewarding year as they continue their contracts with Al-Nassr and Inter Miami, respectively.
Ronaldo aims to lead his team to success in the Saudi Pro League and AFC Champions League this season, while Messi endeavors to guide the Florida club to the MLS playoffs in 2024.
