Cristiano Ronaldo has claimed the top spot on Forbes’ highest-paid sportsmen list for the fourth time in his career.
His move to Saudi Arabian team Al-Nassr catapulted his total earnings to an estimated $260 million, the highest ever for a football player.
Of this, $200 million came from on-field earnings, with an additional $60 million sourced from lucrative endorsement deals leveraging his massive Instagram following of 629 million.
Spanish golfer Jon Rahm rose to second place after joining Saudi-backed LIV Golf, with earnings totaling at least $218 million, thanks in part to a deal reportedly worth at least $300 million.
Lionel Messi, transitioning to Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami, secured third place with $135 million, driven by $65 million in on-field earnings and $70 million from endorsements.
LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers ranked fourth with $128.2 million, heading toward the end of his career but set to compete in another Olympics.
Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks rounded out the top five with $111 million, while Kylian Mbappe slipped to sixth place with $110 million amid a move to Real Madrid from Paris St Germain.
Neymar and Karim Benzema, both transferring to Saudi Arabian teams, earned $108 million and $106 million respectively, followed by Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors with $102 million.
Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens was the lone NFL representative, earning $100.5 million due in part to a signing bonus from his contract extension.
