Ronaldo tops highest-paid athlete list for fourth time
Cristiano Ronaldo has once again clinched the top spot on the Forbes list of highest-paid athletes, marking his fourth time securing this prestigious position during his career.
The renowned football icon, who had previously led the chart last year after his transfer to the Saudi Arabian football club Al Nassr, has now been recognized by business magazine Forbes for his outstanding financial success.
Over the past 12 months, the 39-year-old Portugal forward earned a staggering $260 million (£205 million), a remarkable increase from $136 million (£108.7 million) in the previous period.
Notably, Ronaldo’s long-time competitor Lionel Messi has slipped to the third spot on the list, with rising golf star Jon Rahm climbing up to the second position.
READ ALSO: Sky Sports put Cristiano above Messi for the top 20 athletes of the decade
The Spanish golfer’s ascent was fueled by his recent move to the Saudi-funded LIV Golf tour, resulting in reported earnings of $218 million (£172 million).
Furthermore, footballers Neymar and Karim Benzema have cracked into the top 10 rankings following their transfers to the Saudi Pro League, showcasing the global reach of sports and player movements.
Among the athletes rounding out the top 10, basketball stars LeBron James and Stephen Curry stand alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, with American football quarterback Lamar Jackson securing the 10th spot on the esteemed list. With the combined earnings of the world’s top 10 highest-paid athletes totaling a record-breaking $1.38 billion (£1.06 billion) before taxes and agents’ fees over the past year, the financial success and global impact of these sports icons continue to captivate audiences worldwide.
Forbes’ 2024 list of highest-paid athletes includes:
1. Cristiano Ronaldo, football: $260 million (£205 million)
2. Jon Rahm, golf: $218 million (£172 million)
3. Lionel Messi, football: $135 million (£107 million)
4. LeBron James, basketball: $128.2 million (£101 million)
5. Giannis Antetokounmpo, basketball: $111 million (£88 million)
6. Kylian Mbappe, football: $110 million (£87 million)
7. Neymar, football: $108 million (£85 million)
8. Karim Benzema, football: $106 million (£84 million)
9. Stephen Curry, basketball: $102 million (£80 million)
10. Lamar Jackson, American football: $100.5m (£79m)
