Cristiano Ronaldo has once again topped Forbes’ list of highest-paid athletes, marking his third consecutive year at number one and fifth time overall, with total estimated earnings rising to $275 million USD (approx $455 million NZD).
The 40-year-old forward’s move to Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr and massive social media following of 939 million have fueled lucrative endorsement deals.
NBA star Stephen Curry climbed to second place with $156 million USD (approx $258 million NZD), while British boxer Tyson Fury moved up to third with $146 million USD (approx $241 million NZD), boosted by a Netflix show and tourism deals.
Ronaldo’s longtime rival Lionel Messi dropped to fifth in the rankings.
Top 10 list
- Cristiano Ronaldo, football: $275m USD ($455m NZD)
- Stephen Curry, basketball: $156m USD ($344m NZD)
- Tyson Fury, boxing: $146m USD ($316m NZD)
- Dak Prescott, American football: $137m USD ($287m NZD)
- Lionel Messi, football: $135m USD ($281m NZD)
- LeBron James, basketball: $133.8m USD ($294m NZD)
- Juan Soto, baseball: $114m USD ($246m NZD)
- Karim Benzema, football: $104m USD ($222m NZD)
- Shohei Ohtani, baseball: $102.5m USD ($219m NZD)
- Kevin Durant, basketball: $101.4m USD ($217m NZD)
