Portuguese football icon and Al Nassr striker, Cristiano Ronaldo, has been named Forbes’ highest-paid athlete for 2024 for the third consecutive year.
The 40-year-old star reportedly earned a staggering £206.6 million ($275 million) over the past year, marking an increase of £11.2 million from his 2023 earnings.
A large chunk of this figure, £177 million annually, comes from his lucrative contract with Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr, which he joined in December 2022 after leaving Manchester United.
Ronaldo’s income places him comfortably ahead of other global sports superstars, including NBA legend Stephen Curry, who came in second with £117.1 million ($156 million), and British heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury, who ranked third with £109.5 million ($146 million).
Ronaldo’s longtime rival, Lionel Messi, slipped to fifth place on the 2024 list, down from third last year, with total earnings of £101.3 million ($135 million).
Top 10 Highest-Paid Athletes of 2024 (Forbes)
- Cristiano Ronaldo – £206.6m ($275m)
- Stephen Curry – £117.1m ($156m)
- Tyson Fury – £109.5m ($146m)
- Dak Prescott – £102.8m ($137m)
- Lionel Messi – £101.3m ($135m)
- LeBron James – £100.4m ($133.8m)
- Juan Soto – £85.5m ($114m)
- Karim Benzema – £78m ($104m)
- Shohei Ohtani – £76.9m ($102.5m)
- Kevin Durant – £76.1m ($101.4m)
Ronaldo’s continued dominance in both sport and endorsements shows his enduring global appeal and commercial power, even in the later stages of his football career.
