Cristiano Ronaldo topped Forbes’ list of highest-paid athletes for the fourth time while golfer Jon Rahm moved up to second following his sensational switch to Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf.
Ronaldo became the world’s highest-paid athlete after his move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr and Forbes said the 39-year-old’s estimated total earnings were about US$260 million, an all-time high for a soccer player.
His on-field earnings hit to US$200 million while his off-field earnings were US$60 million thanks to sponsorship deals where brands make use of his 629 million Instagram followers.
Photo: Reuters
Twice major winner Rahm joined LIV Golf in December last year in a big-money move that sent shock waves through the sport after media reports said the world number five would be paid at least US$300 million.
Apart from that guarantee, Rahm has earned US$218 million and joins Ronaldo as the only two athletes to earn more than US$200 million.
Third on the list is record eight-times Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi, who made a lucrative switch to Major League Soccer side Inter Miami, helping the Argentine FIFA World Cup winner earn US$135 million.
The 36-year-old has earned US$65 million in on-field earnings, but US$70 million off it thanks to deals with major sponsors such as Adidas and Apple.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James is fourth at US$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 career, he is set to have one last crack at the Paris Olympics.
Fellow NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo (US$111 million) of the Milwaukee Bucks rounds out the top five, while France soccer captain Kylian Mbappe has dropped down to sixth (US$110 million).
Mbappe announced he would be leaving Paris St 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 in the close season.
Former PSG star Neymar, who also moved to the Saudi Pro League to join Al-Hilal, is seventh (US$108 million) despite sitting out the majority of the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
French striker Karim Benzema, who also moved to Saudi Arabia, is eighth (US$106 million) on the list, followed by Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (US$102 million).
Lamar Jackson is the only NFL player on the list in 10th place (US$100.5 million) thanks to the signing bonus that was negotiated into his new Baltimore Ravens contract last year.
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