Ronaldo Beats Messi to Top List of Best Paid Athletes After Al Nassr Move

Ronaldo Beats Messi to Top List of Best Paid Athletes After Al Nassr Move

Fred Kennedy
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:21 PM
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C. Ronaldo
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L.Messi
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  • Cristiano Ronaldo is currently the world's highest-paid athlete after his move to Al-Nassr
  • The Portuguese striker is understood to be pocketing in the region of £173 million a year
  • Also featured on the top 10 list of highest-earners are F1 stars Hamilton and Verstappen

Cristiano Ronaldo has beaten football rival, Lionel Messi and Paris Saint-Germain ace, Neymar to emerge as the best-paid athlete in the world.

The veteran striker catapulted himself to the top after sealing a sensational free transfer move to Saudi giants Al-Nassr recently.

Ronaldo was rendered clubless in November 2022 after his Manchester United contract was terminated prematurely.

Al-Nassr, Cristiano Ronald, Mrsool Park Stadium, Riyadh, Lionel Messi, Neymar, Josh Allen, Lewis Hamilton.
Al-Nassr's new forward Cristiano Ronaldo greets fans during his unveiling at the Mrsool Park Stadium in the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh. Photo by Fayez Nureldine.
Source: Getty Images

However, the 37-year-old star forward earned himself a lucrative deal with Al-Nassr weeks later, with his two-year bumper contract seeing him become the highest-paid athlete.

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According to The Guardian, the Portugal international is set to pocket a staggering £173 million per year during his stay at the club.

The multi-million deal now places him top among the highest-earning athletes in the world, ahead of the likes of Messi.

The world's best-paid athletes

According to Marca, citing consultancy firm DBRS Morningstar, a list of the 10 highest-earning athletes in the world has been updated after Ronaldo’s move to Al-Nassr.

PSG superstar Neymar is placed third on the list behind teammate Messi, who is understood to be raking in €70.6m at Parc des Princes.

The other athletes included in the top 10 list include NFL star Josh Allen and F1 champion Max Verstappen.

Below are the top 10 highest-paid athletes in the world according to DBRS Morningstar via Sportbible:

10. Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing/Formula One): €43.3m

9. Kirk Cousins (Minnesota Vikings/NFL): €43.3m

8. Deshaun Watson (Cleveland Browns/NFL): €52.3m

7. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes/Formula One): €53.7m

6. Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers/NFL): €53.7m

5. Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills/NFL): €59.3m

4. Matthew Stafford (Los Angeles Rams/NFL): €65.7m

3. Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain/football): €65.9m

2. Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain/football): €70.6m

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr/football): €112.1m

Ronaldo splits with long-time agent

Sports Brief earlier reported that Al-Nassr forward Ronaldo has reportedly parted ways with his super-agent Jorge Mendes, after nearly 20 years of working together.

Said to be at the heart of their rift is the bombshell interview the 37-year-old did with Piers Morgan - allegedly against his agent's advice.

According to some publications, however, the relationship between Mendes and Ronaldo had deteriorated over the last few months.

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Fred Kennedy
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