Cristiano Ronaldo: The World's Highest-Paid Athlete in 2023-And What About Messi?
Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo tops the list as the world's highest-paid athlete in 2023, according to the latest Forbes ranking.
Between May 1, 2023, and the past May 1, Ronaldo, who plays for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, earned a staggering $260 million. Of this amount, $200 million came from on-field activities, which include prize money, salaries, bonuses, and image rights.
Forbes estimates that Ronaldo made an additional $60 million off the field, which includes sponsorship deals and his own business ventures.
Argentinian star Lionel Messi, now playing for Inter Miami, is in third place on the same list. According to Forbes, Messi earned $135 million, with $65 million coming from on-field activities and $70 million from off-field sources.
The top ten highest-paid athletes are rounded out by PSG's French forward Kylian Mbappé with $110 million, Brazilian Neymar of Al Hilal with $108 million, and French footballer Karim Benzema of Al Ittihad with $106 million.