Cristiano Ronaldo has once again been named the world’s highest-paid athlete by Forbes, with estimated earnings of $275 million over the past 12 months — thanks in large part to his lucrative move to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr. This marks the third straight year and fifth time overall that the Portuguese icon has led the rankings.
Yet, despite the financial windfall from his Middle East venture, Ronaldo remains without a major trophy at Al-Nassr. Since joining in late 2022, the 40-year-old has scored regularly and remained in the spotlight, but silverware has proved elusive. For a player of his stature, that absence is glaring — especially as he nears the end of his glittering career.
Ronaldo’s immense earnings include a $15 million boost in commercial revenue, thanks to new sponsorship deals and his unmatched social media reach — an eye-watering 939 million followers across platforms. But his dominance off the pitch stands in stark contrast to his club’s lack of success on it.
Curry, Fury, Prescott complete the top five
Behind Ronaldo, NBA superstar Stephen Curry takes second spot with $156 million, buoyed by a massive contract with the Golden State Warriors and off-court endorsements. Curry made headlines in March as the first NBA player to hit 4,000 career three-pointers.
Third on the list is British boxer Tyson Fury, with $146 million in earnings. While he recently lost his heavyweight titles to Oleksandr Usyk in December, Fury’s wealth has surged thanks to endorsement deals — including promoting Maltese tourism — and his hit Netflix series At Home With the Furys.
In fourth place is NFL quarterback Dak Prescott, who pulled in $137 million. The Dallas Cowboys star’s income was driven by record-breaking signing bonuses and a massive contract extension, cementing his status as the highest-paid player in American football.
Messi stays fifth – mixing stardom with success
Rounding out the top five is Lionel Messi, who earned $135 million, maintaining the same figure as last year. Since joining Inter Miami, the Argentine icon has continued to thrive both on and off the pitch. His endorsement deals with Adidas, Apple, and several global brands remain among the most lucrative in sport.
Messi’s influence has gone beyond financials — he helped guide Inter Miami to their first-ever Leagues Cup title in 2023 and has significantly boosted the profile of Major League Soccer. His seamless transition to life in the U.S. has been marked by both trophies and transformative impact, underscoring his enduring value to the game.