Cristiano Ronaldo has topped Forbes’ list of the world’s highest-paid athletes for the first time since 2017 after his move to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr.
The Portugal forward reportedly earned $136m over the past year, while his contract with Al Nassr is said to be worth more than $200m per year.
Lionel Messi, the World Cup-winning captain from Argentina, came in second on Forbes’ list, having earned $130m. The top 10 also includes basketball star LeBron James and boxer Canelo Alvarez, while 20-time tennis Grand Slam champion Roger Federer is the only retired athlete in ninth place.
Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson are the first golfers to make the top 10 since Tiger Woods in 2020. Johnson, who was not in the top 50 in 2022, rocketed up Forbes’ rankings after becoming the first high-profile player to join the controversial Saudi-funded LIV Golf Invitational Series.
He earned $107m over the past year, including $18m after winning the inaugural LIV Golf championship.
Mickelson, who earned $106m, surpassed $1bn in career earnings pre-tax last year, according to Forbes’ figures. The rankings include both on-field earnings – including salaries, prize money and bonuses – and off-field earnings, such as sponsorship deals, appearance fees, and memorabilia and licensing income.
Here is the full list of the world’s top 10 highest-paid athletes for 2023:
Cristiano Ronaldo, football: $136m
Lionel Messi, football: $130m
Kylian Mbappe, football: $120m
LeBron James, basketball: $119.5m
Canelo Alvarez, boxing: $110m
Dustin Johnson, golf: $107m
Phil Mickelson, golf: $106m
Stephen Curry, basketball: $100.4m
Roger Federer, tennis: $95.1m
Kevin Durant, basketball: $89.1m
