Again, Cristiano Ronaldo tops Forbes highest-paid athletes list with £206.6m earned in 2024
Cristiano Ronaldo has once again cemented his status as a global sports icon, topping Forbes’ list of the world’s highest-paid athletes for the third consecutive year.
The Al Nassr striker, now 40 years old, earned an estimated £206.6 million ($275 million) in 2024—£11.2 million more than he made in 2023. A major chunk of that comes from his reported £177 million-per-year salary at the Saudi Pro League club, which he joined from Manchester United in December 2022.
Ronaldo’s consistent earnings have kept him ahead of top athletes from other disciplines, including NBA superstar Stephen Curry and British heavyweight boxer Tyson Fury, who came in second and third, respectively.
His longtime rival Lionel Messi slipped two spots to fifth place, having dropped from third in 2023.
💰 Top 10 Highest-Paid Athletes in 2024 (Forbes)
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Cristiano Ronaldo – £206.6m ($275m)
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Stephen Curry – £117.1m ($156m)
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Tyson Fury – £109.5m ($146m)
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Dak Prescott – £102.8m ($137m)
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Lionel Messi – £101.3m ($135m)
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LeBron James – £100.4m ($133.8m)
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Juan Soto – £85.5m ($114m)
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Karim Benzema – £78m ($104m)
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Shohei Ohtani – £76.9m ($102.5m)
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Kevin Durant – £76.1m ($101.4m)
Ronaldo’s dominance on the list underscores his marketability and massive global appeal, bolstered by endorsements, sponsorships, and business ventures in addition to his Saudi salary.
Even at 40, the Portuguese forward continues to redefine longevity and earning power in modern sports.
