The transfer to Al-Nassr helped Cristiano Ronaldo become the highest-paid athlete in the world, according to the annual ranking published by Forbes. The podium is closed by two more football players, and the Top 10 also includes an athlete who has finished his career.

Cristiano Ronaldo, the highest paid athlete in the world

Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi (soccer), Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson (golf) make the Top 10 thanks to their ties to Saudi Arabia. PSG, a club owned by rival emirate Qatar, have just suspended Messi following a trip to Riyadh.

The Top 10 also included Kylian Mbappe (signed a new contract with PSG), three NBA basketball players (LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant) and boxer Canelo Alvarez.

Roger Federer is the only retired athlete (at Laver Cup 2022) to be in the Top 10.

10 highest paid athletes in the world (May 1, 2022 – May 1, 2023)

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal/soccer) – $136 million (46 from sports, 90 from non-sports)

2. Lionel Messi (Argentina / football) – 130 m (65 / 65)

3. Kylian Mbappe (France / football) – 120 m (100 / 20)

4. LeBron James (USA / basketball) – 119.5 m (44.5 / 75)

5. Canelo Alvarez (Mexico / boxer) – 110 m (100 / 10)

6. Dustin Johnson (USA / golf) – 107 m (102 / 5)

7. Phil Mickelson (USA / golf) – 106 m (104 / 2)

8. Stephen Curry (USA / basketball) – 100.4 m (48.4 / 52)

9. Roger Federer (Switzerland / tennis) – 95.1 m (0.1 / 95)

10. Kevin Durant (USA / basketball) – 89.1 m (44.1 / 45).

Forbes says that sporting income includes all awards, salaries and bonuses earned in the previous 12 months, while non-sporting income is a measure of sponsorship contracts, licensing rights and return on investment from the businesses they run.