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

• 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.

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.

Best duos in the NBA: The 10 best one-two punches in the NBA right now

NBA

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

The Karim Benzema story: From being banned from the France national team to winning the Ballon d'Or

Football

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.