Cristiano Ronaldo tops Forbes’ highest-paid athletes list; Lionel Messi falls to third

It is the fourth time in his career that Ronaldo would be named the highest-paid athlete in the world by Forbes.

Al Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo has been named the highest-paid athlete in the world by Forbes, surpassing other top athletes such as Lionel Messi and LeBron James. The American business magazine reported that Ronaldo earned an estimated $260 million (£205 million) over the past 12 months, a substantial increase from the $136 million (£108.7 million) he earned the previous year. This marks the fourth time in his career that Ronaldo has topped the Forbes list.

Lionel Messi, Ronaldo’s long-time rival, fell from second to third on the list, with earnings of $135 million (£107 million) in the last 12 months. Golfer Jon Rahm took the second spot with an income of $218 million (£172 million). LeBron James, the basketball star, ranked fourth with $128.2 million (£101 million), followed by Greek-Nigerian basketball player Giannis Antetokounmpo, who earned $111 million (£88 million).

Other notable athletes in the top ten include French forward Kylian Mbappe, who earned $110 million (£87 million), Neymar and Karim Benzema with $108 million (£85 million) and $106 million (£84 million) respectively, basketball player Stephen Curry with $102 million (£80 million), and American football player Lamar Jackson with $100.5 million (£79 million).