Top 10 Best Paid Athletes of the Year Disclosed As Ronaldo Beats Messi

• Al Nassr skipper Cristiano Ronaldo has been declared the world's best-paid sportsman by Forbes
• This is the third time Ronaldo has topped the list during his illustrious football career that has seen him play for top clubs
• Paris Saint-Germain duo Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe are the only other footballers who made the list

Cristiano Ronaldo has been named the highest-paid athlete of the year 2022, beating a host of top sportsmen to the top spot.

The veteran striker is currently plying his trade in the Saudi top flight following his sensational move to Al Nassr in January.

While his spell at Al Nassr seems not to be going according to plan, The Sun reports Ronaldo is doing just fine - at least financially.

This is after Forbes declared the Portugal international the world’s highest-paid athlete in the last year.

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It is understood that the magazine used various parameters to draw up the list, combining on-field “prize money, salaries and bonuses” plus estimated off-field “sponsorship deals, appearances fees and memorabilia.”

Ronaldo is said to have banked an eyewatering £109million during the year under review to top Forbes’ list for the third time in his career.

Who made the top 10 list?

Cristiano's archrival Lionel Messi and Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe are the only other footballers who made the list.

Messi is placed second behind Ronaldo after pocketing £104million in 2022, with his PSG teammate Mbappe ranking third with £96million.

Other sportsmen who featured in the list include NBA legend LeBron James and boxing superstar Canelo Alvarez.

Top 10 best-paid athletes

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (football) - £109million

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2. Lionel Messi (football) - £104million

3. Kylian Mbappe (football) - £96million

4. LeBron James (basketball) - £95million

5. Canelo Alvarez (boxing) - £88million

6. Dustin Johnson - £86million

7. Phil Mickelson - £85million

8. Stephen Curry - £81million

9. Roger Federer (tennis) - £76million

10. Kevin Durant (basketball) - £72million

Roberto Carlos speaks on Messi vs Ronaldo

Earlier, Sports Brief reported on Roberto Carlos declaring Cristiano Ronaldo the better player compared to Lionel Messi.

It is undeniable that Ronaldo and Messi are incredibly talented and accomplished athletes who have achieved numerous records and accolades throughout their careers, but the question still lingers - who is the GOAT?

The never-ending, ever-divisive debate on who the better player is between Ronaldo and his long-term rival continues to rage on despite both players entering the concluding phase of their careers.

Offering his two pence on the discussion, Carlos, who was known for his intense love for training and dedication to his craft, tilted towards Ronaldo in the GOAT argument.