Forbes magazine has published its annual list of the world’s highest-paid sportsmen, with Cristiano Ronaldo in first place thanks to his contract with the Saudi team Al-Nassr, which will bring him an estimated income of 136 million dollars over the last 12 months. Lionel Messi, with revenues of 130 million, has been moved to second place, while French footballer Kylian Mbappé completes the podium with 120 million. American basketball player LeBron James and Mexican boxer Saúl ‘Canelo’ Álvarez are in fourth and fifth place, respectively.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who had already topped this list in 2016 and 2017, returns to the top spot thanks to his contract with Al-Nassr, which will bring him an annual salary of $75 million and “additional marketing opportunities.” He has also earned another $90 million in sponsorships in the last year. Messi, meanwhile, ranks second with $65 million from his sporting activities and another $65 million from commercial deals, although he has just been suspended by Paris Saint-Germain after an unauthorized trip to Riyadh.
Saudi Arabia stands out as a major investor in sports, with US golfers Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson ranked sixth and seventh after leaving the PGA for the new Riyadh-funded LIV Golf circuit. ‘Canelo’ Alvarez is the second Latin American in the top 10 ranking, with revenues of $100 million from his appearances in the ring and another $10 million from commercial activities. The top-10 is completed by basketball players Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant, as well as Swiss tennis player Roger Federer, who retired from the courts at the end of last year.