Former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo is named the highest-paid athlete for the fourth time.
Cristiano Ronaldo topped Forbes' list of highest-paid athletes for the fourth time in his career, while Spanish golfer Jon Rahm rose to second place following his sensational move to Saudi-backed LIV Golf.
Ronaldo became the highest-paid athlete in the world after his move to Saudi team 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 player. soccer.
His on-field earnings totaled $200 million, while his off-field earnings were $60 million, thanks to sponsorship deals in which brands make use of his 629 million Instagram followers.
Rahm, a two-time major winner, joined LIV Golf in December in a big-money move that sent shock waves through the sport after media reports said the current world number five 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 the Argentine World Cup winner 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, the first NBA player to score 40,000 career points, is nearing the end of his race, the American will have one last chance at the Olympic Games. .
Fellow NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo ($111 million) of the Milwaukee Bucks rounds out the top five, while French soccer 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 all-time leading scorer, and the 25-year-old is expected to join Spanish giants Real Madrid next season. season.
Former PSG star Neymar, who also moved to the Saudi Pro League to join 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 Stephen Curry ($102 million).
Lamar Jackson is the only NFL player on the list at No. 10 ($100.5 million) thanks to the signing bonus negotiated into his new contract with the Baltimore Ravens last year.
