Cristiano Ronaldo Tops Forbes’ List as World’s Highest-Paid Athlete in Record-Breaking Year
His pockets brimmed with a staggering $136 million ($107.5 M) in the 12 months leading up to May 1st, leaving his competitors trailing behind.
In 2023, Cristiano Ronaldo secured his place atop Forbes’ coveted list of the world’s highest-paid athletes, marking his third time in this esteemed position since 2017. This triumph also bestowed upon him a Guinness World Records title for the athlete with the highest annual earnings.
Between May 2022 and May 2023, Ronaldo amassed a staggering $136 million in earnings, firmly dethroning his rival Lionel Messi, who held the top spot in 2022 with $130 million.
Ronaldo’s record-breaking fortune consisted of $46 million earned through his on-field performances, while a substantial $90 million flowed into his coffers from off-field endeavors.
After an unremarkable second tenure at Manchester United, Ronaldo embarked on a new chapter in his career, joining Saudi Arabian team Al-Nassr in January 2023. This transition proved highly lucrative, as his salary nearly doubled to a staggering $75 million, further bolstering his financial prowess.
Yet, it is Ronaldo’s off-field ventures that truly elevate his earnings. Aside from his enduring partnership with Nike, the iconic athlete profits handsomely from his CR7-branded merchandise, which continues to generate substantial revenue.
Forbes diligently compiles its rankings, relying on insider information, news reports, and salary databases. The calculations encompass various aspects of athletes’ income, including salaries, prize money, bonuses, sponsorship deals, appearance fees, memorabilia, licensing income, and returns from business ventures in which the athlete holds significant stakes.
While Ronaldo stands tall at the pinnacle, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé, fellow football virtuosos, occupy the second and third spots, respectively, on the list of highest-paid athletes for the 2022–2023 period.
Messi’s earnings amount to $130 million, evenly distributed between on-field and off-field ventures, while Mbappé’s substantial on-field earnings of $100 million contribute significantly to his overall income of $120 million.
LeBron James secures the fourth position, amassing a commendable $119 million, comprising $44.5 million in on-court earnings and a remarkable $75 million from off-court endeavors. LeBron’s accomplishments extend further, as he sets a new record for the highest annual earnings among basketball players in 2023.
Boxer Canelo Alvarez, securing fifth place, earns a staggering $110 million, with $100 million coming from his in-ring performances and $10 million from ventures outside the ring. Alvarez too claims his place in history, establishing a new record for the highest annual earnings among boxers in 2023.
Notably, retired tennis legends Roger Federer and Serena Williams continue to reign supreme, setting records for the highest annual earnings among male and female tennis players in 2023, respectively.
Federer, securing the ninth spot overall, amassed a total of $95.1 million, with a substantial $95 million derived from off-court sources, while a modest $100,000 came from his on-court endeavors. Serena, ranking 49th, earned a total of $45.3 million, with $45 million from off-court ventures and $300,000 from her on-court performances.
