Cristiano Ronaldo continues to dominate the sports world as he has been named the world’s highest-paid athlete for the third year in a row by Forbes.
The 40-year-old Al Nassr striker earned an impressive £206.6 million in 2024, which is £11.2 million more than his earnings in 2023. Most of his earnings come from his £177 million annual salary at Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, which he joined from Manchester United in December 2022.
Ronaldo’s massive income has kept him ahead of competitors like NBA superstar Stephen Curry and British boxing champion Tyson Fury, who also earned significant sums. His longtime rival, Lionel Messi, dropped to fifth place in the rankings this year, slipping from third in 2023.
Ronaldo’s continued financial success highlights his global influence both on and off the field, as he remains a top figure in sports and endorsement deals.
Forbes’ 10 highest-paid athletes for 2025
- Cristiano Ronaldo, soccer: $275m.
- Stephen Curry, NBA: $156m.
- Tyson Fury, boxing: $146m.
- Dak Prescott, NFL: $137m.
- Lionel Messi, soccer: $135m.
- LeBron James, NBA: $133.8m.
- Juan Soto, MLB: $114m.
- Karim Benzema, soccer: $104m.
