adminLONDON. – Cristiano Ronaldo has become the world’s highest-paid athlete for the first time since 2017 following his move to Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr.
Forbes report the 38-year-old Portugal forward earned $136m (£108.7m) over the past 12 months.
His contract with Al Nassr is reportedly worth more than 200m euros (£176.5m) per year.
Argentina’s World Cup-winning captain Lionel Messi is second on Forbes’ list having earned $130m (£103.9m).
Forbes’ top 10 also features basketball star LeBron James and boxer Canelo Alvarez, while 20-time tennis Grand Slam champion Roger Federer is the only retired athlete on the list in ninth place.
Dustin Johnson (sixth) and Phil Mickelson (seventh) are the first golfers to make the top 10 since Tiger Woods in 2020. Johnson was not in the top 50 in 2022 but after becoming the first high-profile player to join the controversial Saudi-funded LIV Golf Invitational Series, he has rocketed up Forbes’ rankings. – BBC Sport
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