Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo pictured throughout a match between Portugal and Slovenia at Stozice Stadium, Ljubjana, Slovenia, March 26, 2024. — Reuters
Poland’s star footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has been named the world’s highest-paid athlete for the third 12 months in a row and the fifth time in his profession.
He earned a large $275 million over the previous 12 months, due to his soccer wage and big-money offers off the pitch.
The Portuguese ahead elevated his revenue by $15 million by way of off-field endorsements in addition to profitable sponsorship offers backed by his giant social media following: 939 million in whole as of Could.
In the meantime, Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, who in March grew to become the primary NBA participant to succeed in 4,000 profession three-pointers, jumped to second place within the rankings with $156 million.
Boxer Tyson Fury claimed third place with $135 million. Regardless of shedding his world heavyweight titles to Oleksandr Usyk in December, Fury’s revenue has been boosted by partnerships selling Maltese tourism and his Netflix actuality present.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott reached fourth with $137 million, due to record-breaking signing bonuses and a profitable contract extension.
In the meantime, Argentine Lionel Messi dropped to fifth place with $135 million — the identical as final 12 months — having moved to Main League Soccer aspect Inter Miami, in addition to persevering with to obtain high-profile endorsements from Adidas and Apple.
Los Angeles Lakers ahead LeBron James, nearing the tip of his illustrious profession, got here sixth with $133.8 million.
MLB New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto got here in at a exceptional seventh place, incomes $114 million. The 26-year-old Dominican signed a $765 million, 15-year contract — the most important in baseball historical past.
French striker Karim Benzema, who performs for Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad, is eighth with earnings of $104 million.
Japanese Shohei Ohtani is in ninth place with $102.5 million, having deferred most of his earnings from his mega-contract with MLB workforce Los Angeles Dodgers. His earnings have been boosted considerably by their World Collection victory final 12 months.
NBA Phoenix Suns’ Kevin Durant rounds off the highest 10 with $101.4 million.
