Ronaldo becomes world’s best-paid athlete after Saudi move

PSG forward Lionel Messi was next on the Forbes list, while club teammate and France captain Kylian Mbappe was third.

Cristiano Ronaldo has become the world’s highest-paid athlete for the first time since 2017 after his move to Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr nearly doubled his annual playing salary, while Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) duo Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe round off the top three, according to Forbes magazine.

Ronaldo, who joined the Saudi football club on a deal until 2025 after leaving Manchester United last year, earned $136m, with Forbes saying his annual playing salary went up to an estimated $75m.

Ronaldo’s contract has been estimated by media to be worth more than 200 million euros ($220m).

PSG forward Messi, 35, was next on the list after bringing home a combined $130m while club teammate and France captain Mbappe – the youngest on the list at 24 – earned $120m to sit third.

PSG are owned by Qatar Sports Investments.