Cristiano Ronaldo topped Forbes’ list of the highest-paid sportsmen for the fourth time in his career, while Spanish golfer Jon Rahm rose to second place following his spectacular move to Saudi-backed LIV Golf.
Ronaldo became the world’s highest-paid athlete after joining Saudi Arabian team Al-Nassr, with Forbes estimating his total earnings at around $260 million, an all-time high for a football player.
His on-field earnings were $200 million, while his off-field earnings were $60 million, courtesy to endorsement deals with firms that leveraged his 629 million Instagram followers.
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Rahm, a two-time major winner, joined LIV Golf in December in a big-money deal that shook the sport when media reports indicated the current world number five will be paid at least $300 million.
Aside from the guarantee, Rahm has earned $218 million, joining Ronaldo as the only two athletes to earn more than $200 million.
Lionel Messi, the record eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, is third on the list after making a lucrative transition to Major League Soccer team Inter Miami, where he helped the Argentine World Cup winner earn $135 million.
The 36-year-old has earned $65 million on the pitch but $70 million off it thanks to sponsorship deals with major brands like Adidas and Apple.
.Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James ranks fourth with $128.2 million, and despite the fact that the 39-year-old, the first NBA player to reach 40,000 career points, is nearing the end of his career, the American is poised to compete in one more Olympics.
Fellow NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo ($111 million) of the Milwaukee Bucks completes the top five, while France soccer captain Kylian Mbappe has slid to sixth ($110 million).
Mbappe confirmed his departure from 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 set to join Spanish heavyweights Real Madrid in the close season.
Former PSG star Neymar, who also transferred to the Saudi Pro League to join Al-Hilal, is eighth ($108 million) after missing much of the season due to a torn ACL.
Karim Benzema, a French striker who also relocated 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 athlete on the list, ranking tenth ($100.5 million), courtesy to the signing bonus negotiated into his new Baltimore Ravens deal last year.