LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Cristiano Ronaldo of Al-Nassr, who earned £109 million (£136 million) in 2022, is recognized as Forbes’ highest-paid athlete, surpassing Lionel Messi by one spot.
The Portuguese forward was forced to leave Manchester United at the beginning of the year after making divisive remarks about the team.
Despite a sharp decline in quality from his Champions League days, Ronaldo has unquestionably not suffered as a result.
According to Forbes, the 38-year-old made £109 million last year in “prize money, salaries and bonuses,” as well as “sponsorship deals, appearance fees, and memorabilia,”
This puts him slightly ahead of PSG star Lionel Messi, who earns £104 million ($130 million), while Kylian Mbappe completes a hat-trick of footballers in the top three with earnings of £96 million ($120 million).
Ronaldo returns to the top rank for the first time since 2017 thanks to the outrageous numbers recorded for him, which are the most in football history.
Moreso, Messi might soon join the Al-Nassr skipper in Saudi Arabia. His contract with his current employers PSG will not be extended past this summer, and a recent trip to the Gulf state has stoked speculation about a potential reconciliation between the longtime foes, with Al-Hilal having already made a sizable offer.
Although a return to Barcelona for the Argentine seems the most likely option, even though it would require a significant pay cut, that could knock Cristiano Ronaldo back down to second place.
LeBron James, a legend in basketball, and boxer Canelo Alvarez round out the top five, also Mbappe, 24, who received an eye-watering new contract last summer, is followed by both athletes.
Messi will serve out his two-week suspension at PSG while Ronaldo gets ready for his Monday meeting with Al-Khaleej, while speculation about their futures continues.
