Cristiano Ronaldo topped Forbes' list of highest-paid athletes for the fourth time in his career, and Spanish golfer Jon Rahm rose to second place after his sensational move to Saudi-backed LIV Golf.
Ronaldo became the world's highest-paid athlete after his move to Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr, and Forbes said the 39-year-old's estimated total earnings were in the region of $260 million, an all-time high for a footballer. .
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His on-field earnings totaled $200 million and his off-field earnings were $60 million thanks to endorsement deals in which brands make use of his 629 million Instagram followers.
Ronaldo said Wednesday that he intends to continue his football career “at a high level” despite being almost 40 years old.
Rahm, a two-time major winner, joined LIV Golf in December in a big-money move that sent shockwaves through the sport after media reports said the world No. 5 would receive at least $300 million.
Aside from that guarantee, Rahm has earned $218 million and joins Ronaldo as the only two athletes to earn more than $200 million.
Third on the list is eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi, who made a lucrative move to Major League Soccer's Inter Miami, helping him earn $135 million.
The 36-year-old has earned $65 million in on-field earnings, but $70 million off that thanks to deals with major sponsors like Adidas and Apple.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James is in fourth place with $128.2 million, and although the 39-year-old American, the first NBA player to score 40,000 career points, is nearing the end of his career, is preparing to have one last chance at the Olympic Games.
Fellow NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo ($111 million) of the Milwaukee Bucks rounds out the top five, and France captain Kylian Mbappé has fallen to sixth place ($110 million).
Mbappé announced he would be leaving Paris Saint-Germain after seven years in the French capital, where he became the club's career top scorer, and the 25-year-old is expected to join Spanish giants Real Madrid in the season. 2024-25.
Former PSG star Neymar, who also moved to the Saudi Pro League by joining Al Hilal, is in seventh place ($108 million) despite being out for most of the season with a torn ACL.
French forward Karim Benzema, who also moved to Saudi Arabia, is eighth ($106 million) on the list, followed by Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry ($102 million).
Lamar Jackson is the only NFL player on the list, at 10th place ($100.5 million), thanks to the signing bonus negotiated into his new contract with the Baltimore Ravens last year.
