Football star Cristiano Ronaldo has become the highest paid athlete in 2023 globally after moving to the Saudi Arabian football club Al Nassr, said a Forbes report on world's 10 highest-paid athletes 2023
The ace footballer has a net worth of $136 million over the last 12 months —including $46 million from his playing salary and bonuses and $90 million from endorsements, appearances, licensing income, and other business endeavours -- after he joined Al Nassr in January this year
The Portuguese player's annual salary nearly doubled to an estimated $75 billion. Cryptocurrency exchange Binance is among Ronaldo’s latest sponsors apart from Nike, Herbalife, and American Tourister
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo not only compete against each other on field but also off it. While his club future is uncertain, Messi bought home $130 million and also launched an investment firm Play Time in October
The Paris Saint Germain (PSG) footballer has several big endorsements including PepsiCo, Adidas, and Budweiser under his belt. He also mints around $20 million per year from his deal with Socios, a blockchain-based fan platform
The only under 30 entrant in the list, Kylian Mbappe, has made quite a fortune for himself. The PSG player has a net worth of $120 million, including $100 million from his playing salary and bonuses and $20 million from his endorsements, appearances, licensing income, and other business endeavours
The Los Angeles Lakers forwarder is the first active athlete to be certified as a billionaire in June. LeBron James has a net worth of $119.5 million, which comprises $44.5 million from his playing salary and $75 million in endorsements, appearances, licensing income, and other business endeavours
Other players who made it to this list are Canelo Alvarez ($110 million), Dustin Johnson ($107 million), Phil Mickelson ($106 million), Stephen Curry ($100.4 million), Roger Federer ($95.1 million), and Kevin Durant ($89.1 million)
Even tennis legend Serena Williams couldn't crack the coveted list, thus leaving no female player among world's 10 highest-paid athletes