October 20 – According to Forbes, Cristiano Ronaldo has once again been named the highest-paid player in the world, earning a mind-boggling $280 million for a season’s work. That figure not only dwarfs his rivals on the pitch but even outstrips the salaries of megastars in the NBA, MLB, and NFL. Not bad for a forty-year-old!
To give perspective, Ronaldo’s annual income eclipses that of the LA Lakers, LeBron James (around $128 million), Shohei Ohtani (roughly $70 million with the Dodgers, not counting endorsements), and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (about $60 million). Football, once known for its comparatively “modest” wages, now produces some of the world’s richest athletes, with the Saudi Pro League leading the charge.
Ronaldo’s new two-year deal with Al Nassr brings him $230 million in salary, plus another $50 million from sponsorships and social media. It’s his sixth time topping Forbes’ list in the past decade
Next is his old sparring mate from Barcelona, and now Inter Miami star, Lionel Messi**,** whose $130 million haul makes him the only Major League Soccer (MLS) player among the elite with $70 million in endorsements.
Karim Benzema ($104m), Kylian Mbappé ($95m), Erling Haaland ($80m), Mohamed Salah ($55m), Vinícius Júnior ($60m), Jude Bellingham ($44m), and Sadio Mané ($54m) round out a top ten that will collectively bank nearly $1 billion this year.
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