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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Ronaldo bags top spot among footballers</li><li>Messi not far behind</li><li>Jordan leads the list over Woods</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Cristiano Ronaldo joins NBA icon Michael Jordan & golf legend Tiger Woods among highest-paid athletes of all time - as Lionel Messi fails to reach the top five

King Cup

Al Nassr FC

Al Khaleej

Major League Soccer

Inter Miami CF

New York Red Bulls

Ronaldo emerged as the highest-paid footballer of all time with a staggering $1.92 billion (£1.49bn) in earnings throughout his career. His eternal rival, Messi, is a close second with $1.67bn (£1.30bn). David Beckham and Messi's employer stands third with a jaw-dropping figure of $1.5bn (£1.17bn), according to <a href="https://www.sportico.com/personalities/athletes/2024/highest-paid-athletes-all-time-jordan-tiger-1234769284/" target="_blank">Sportico.</a>

WHAT HAPPENED?

However, the standings go for a toss when athletes from other sports are taken into consideration. Basketball legend, Michael Jordan, takes the top spot with a whopping $3.75bn (£2.92bn) in earnings. Golf maestro Tiger Woods follow him in the second spot with an inflation-adjusted earning of $2.66bn (£2.07bn). Ronaldo, golfer Arnold Palmer ($1.76bn) and LeBron James ($1.7bn) make up the top five with 2022 World Cup winner, Messi, occupying the sixth spot.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<table><tbody><tr><td>Rank</td><td>Athlete</td><td>Inflation-Adjusted Earnings</td><td>Non-Adjusted Earnings</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>Michael Jordan</td><td>$3.75bn (£2.92bn)</td><td>$2.75B (£2.14bn)</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>Tiger Woods</td><td>$2.66bn (£2.07bn)</td><td>$1.85B (£1.44bn)</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Cristiano Ronaldo</td><td>$1.92bn (£1.49bn)</td><td>$1.57bn (1.22bn)</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>Arnold Palmer</td><td>$1.76bn (£1.37bn)</td><td>$1.36bn (£1.06bn)</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>LeBron James</td><td>$1.7bn (£1.34bn)</td><td>$1.36bn (£1.06bn)</td></tr><tr><td>=6</td><td>Jack Nicklaus</td><td>$1.67bn (£1.30bn)</td><td>$890m (£693m)</td></tr><tr><td>=6</td><td>Lionel Messi</td><td>$1.67bn (£1.30bn)</td><td>$1.36bn (£1.06bn)</td></tr><tr><td>8</td><td>David Beckham</td><td>$1.5bn (£1.17bn)</td><td>$1.13bn ($880m)</td></tr><tr><td>9</td><td>Roger Federer</td><td>$1.49bn (£1.16bn)</td><td>$1.17bn (£910m)</td></tr><tr><td>10</td><td>Floyd Mayweather</td><td>$1.48bn (£1.15bn)</td><td>$1.14bn ($890m)</td></tr></tbody></table>

THE TOP 10 LIST OF HIGHEST PAID ATHLETES OF ALL TIME

Ronaldo will hope to prove he is worth the lucrative contract he signed with Al-Nassr by heloing them to Saudi Pro League and AFC Champions League success this season. Meanwhile, Messi and his Inter Miami co-stars will aim to maintain their positive start to the MLS campaign and go on to claim more trophies with the Florida club.

WHAT NEXT?

Cristiano Ronaldo joins NBA icon Michael Jordan & golf legend Tiger Woods among highest-paid athletes of all time - as Lionel Messi fails to reach the top five | Goal.com UK

Cristiano Ronaldo joined Michael Jordan &amp; Tiger Woods among the highest-paid athletes of all time - as Lionel Messi failed to make it to the top five.

Cristiano Ronaldo joins NBA icon Michael Jordan &amp; golf legend Tiger Woods among highest-paid athletes of all time - as Lionel Messi fails to reach the top five

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