Ronaldo leapfrogs Messi in Forbes list of top-earning football players

Football – Premier League – Manchester United v Newcastle United – Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain – September 11, 2021 Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo reacts REUTERS/Phil Noble

Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo has reclaimed top spot in the list of the world’s highest-paid football players from Lionel Messi, according to Forbes.

Ronaldo, 36, rejoined United from Juventus in August after 12 years away, while Messi has swapped boyhood club Barcelona to join Paris St Germain.

Forbes said Ronaldo, among the world’s most popular athletes with over 500 million followers across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, is set to make $125 million before taxes in the 2021-22 season, with $70 million coming from salary and bonuses at United.

The rest will come from endorsements and partnerships with brands including Nike, Herbalife, Clear and his CR7 brand.

Messi, who topped last year’s list, will be paid a salary of $75 million with an additional $35 million from endorsements for total expected earnings of $110 million.

The Argentine’s strike partner at PSG Neymar, who in May signed a new contract until 2025, is third on the list with total earnings of $95 million.

Another PSG player, Kylian Mbappe ($43 million), is fourth on the Forbes list while Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah ($41 million) is fifth.

Top 10 highest earners in football:

1. Cristiano Ronaldo – $125 million
2. Lionel Messi – $110 million
3. Neymar – $95 million
4. Kylian Mbappe – $43 million
5. Mohamed Salah – $41 million
6. Robert Lewandowski – $35 million
7. Andres Iniesta – $35 million
8. Paul Pogba – $34 million
9. Gareth Bale – $32 million
10. Eden Hazard – $29 million

RELATED STORIES

McGregor tops Forbes’ highest-paid athletes list

Pacquiao is 8th highest paid athlete of the decade – Forbes