Cristiano Ronaldo has officially set another milestone in his storied career by earning over twice as much as his close rival, Lionel Messi, in the past year. According to the latest report from Forbes, the Portuguese superstar stands at the pinnacle of the football earnings list, having pulled in a staggering £218 million ($285 million) over the last 12 months. This impressive figure places him significantly ahead of other players in the sport, and it’s a testament to his unmatched commercial appeal and consistent performance on the field.
Ronaldo’s earnings have seen remarkable growth over the past decade. Back in 2014, he first topped the Forbes list with annual earnings of £55 million ($73 million). Fast forward to today, and his financial figures have skyrocketed, largely due to a lucrative contract with Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League worth £170 million ($220 million). In addition to his on-field salary, Ronaldo has also generated a whopping £49 million ($65 million) from various commercial endorsements and sponsorships, solidifying his status as one of the wealthiest athletes in the world.
Notably, Ronaldo’s latest earnings of £218 million not only break his own previous record of £199 million ($260 million) but also place him in rare company within the sports world. The only athlete to have earned more in a single year is the former boxing world champion Floyd Mayweather, which speaks volumes about Ronaldo’s exceptional financial achievements as a professional footballer.
In stark contrast, Lionel Messi finds himself in a distant second place on the Forbes list, bringing in a total of £103 million ($135 million) in the same timeframe. Although he excels in branding and off-field ventures—earning £57 million ($75 million) outside of his contract with Inter Miami—he still trails significantly behind his longtime rival. Messi’s position as a marketing icon remains strong, but Ronaldo’s dominance in earnings underscores the intense competition and contrasting paths taken by these two footballing legends.
Moreover, the earnings landscape in football has shifted dramatically with the influx of financial resources from the Saudi Pro League. Players like Neymar (£84 million/$110 million), Karim Benzema (£79 million/$104 million), and Sadio Mane (£40 million/$52 million), who represent various Saudi clubs, are also making significant strides in their earnings, further diversifying the list of top earners. This shift marks a departure from the dominance previously held by La Liga players, as Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr are the only representatives from Spain in the top 10.
The presence of three Premier League stars—Erling Haaland (£45 million/$60 million), Kevin De Bruyne, and Mohamed Salah—adds a competitive edge to the global football earnings landscape. While Ronaldo’s earnings exceed the combined totals of players ranked sixth through tenth on the Forbes list, it emphasizes the exceptional nature of his financial success.
- The top 10 looks like this:
- ⏺ Ronaldo — $285 million
- ⏺ Lionel Messi — $135 million
- ⏺ Neymar — $110 million
- ⏺ Karim Benzema — $104 million
- ⏺ Kylian Mbappe — $90 million
- ⏺ Erling Haaland — $60 million
- ⏺ Vinícius Júnior — $55 million
- ⏺ Mohamed Salah — $53 million
- ⏺ Sadio Mane — $52 million
- ⏺ Kevin De Bruyne — $39 million
Looking ahead, Ronaldo’s current contract with Al-Nassr is set to expire in 2025. However, there are strong expectations that he will sign an extension, reflecting his desire to continue competing at the highest level. Still very much in his prime at 39 years old, Ronaldo seems intent on playing professional football for several more years, much to the anticipation of fans worldwide. His remarkable journey, characterized by relentless ambition and an unyielding work ethic, continues to inspire aspiring athletes around the globe.
World of sports 
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