Cristiano Ronaldo Tops List of Highest Paid Athletes in 2023 With $275M Estimated Earnings

• Al-Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo is the highest-paid athlete in 2023
• Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe are other footballers in the top 5
• The earnings are estimated from salaries and endorsements

Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to the Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr in January 2023 following the mutual termination of his Manchester United made him the highest-paid athlete in the world last year.

Ronaldo benefitted from a world-record salary in Saudi Arabia to stand clear of others on the list, while he also made fortunes from sponsorships and his Instagram page.

Sports Brief looks at the top five highest-paid athletes in 2023, according to Sportico.

Top 5 highest-paid athletes in 2023

1. Cristiano Ronaldo

The Portuguese superstar earned $275 million in 2023 to lead other athletes worldwide. His salary at Al-Nassr was $215mil in the year, while he made $60mil from sponsorship and his Instagram page, which is the most followed with 620 million.

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2. John Rahm

Spanish golfer Rahm comes in at number two, earning $203mil in 2023, over $70mil less than Ronaldo in first place. Per the Los Angeles Times, his fortunes rose when he joined the LIV Golf League, funded by the Saudi Public Investment Fund. He also made around $23mil in sponsorships.

3. Lionel Messi

The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner could have been top of this list if he had accepted a $1.5 billion offer from Al-Hilal, per Fox Sports. He joined MLS franchise Inter Miami instead. He earned $130mil in 2023, partly from Paris Saint-Germain and Miami salaries. He also made over $60mil from sponsorships.

4. LeBron James

James earned the most money from sponsorship of any athlete in the world in 2023. $80mil of his $125.7mil earnings in 2023 came from endorsements. He earned $45.7mil in salaries from the Los Angeles Lakers.

5. Kylian Mbappe

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The French national team captain is fifth on the list, earning $125mil from salaries and endorsements in 2023. He earned $100mil from wages and a modest $25mil. Per Bleacher Report, he rejected a $776mil salary to join Al-Hilal in the summer.

Highest-paid athletes in history

Sports Brief analysed the highest-paid athletes in history as Ronaldo comes in at fifth place, ahead of archrival Messi, who placed seventh behind LeBron in sixth.

Basketball legend Michael Jordan tops the list with an estimated earnings of $3.3bil in his career. Four golfers, including the legendary Tiger Woods, made the top 10.