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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Portuguese superstar out in front</li><li>Eternal rival trailing in his wake</li><li>Neymar &amp; Benzema also in top 10</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 first as Lionel Messi settles for third! Real Madrid-bound Kylian Mbappe also figures on Forbes’ highest-paid athletes chart alongside NBA & NFL superstars

For the first time, <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/justinbirnbaum/2024/05/16/the-worlds-10-highest-paid-athletes-2024/?sh=14743a5a28a9" target="_blank">every entrant on the star-studded chart</a> is pulling in over $100 million (£79m) on an annual basis. It comes as no surprise to find that Portuguese icon Ronaldo occupies first place, as he is <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/contract-extension-cristiano-ronaldo-40-al-nassr-superstar-prolong-62-goal-stint-saudi-arabia/blt9b5fe85776a669ee" target="_blank">working on the most lucrative contract in world football</a>.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Ronaldo earns £157m ($199m) a year at Al-Nassr – where he has <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-goal-message-rivals-portugal-al-nassr-superstar-1000/bltf77588a501ef4789" target="_blank">plundered 48 goals this season</a> – while making up a further £48m ($61m) in a wide range of endorsement and sponsorship deals. His eternal rival, eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi, makes £107m ($135m) per year – with the Argentine superstar, who is now <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/secret-meetings-10-year-project-how-david-beckham-signed-lionel-messi-inter-miami-co-owner/bltcc28a521e2bdff22 " target="_blank">plying his club trade in MLS for Inter Miami</a>, earning more away from the field than he does on it.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Kylian Mbappe, who is <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/next-galactico-kylian-mbappe-five-years-real-madrid-france-international-premier-league-move-psg/blt1790a2667c62e814" target="_blank">expected to link up with Real Madrid this summer</a> as he prepares to leave Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent, occupies sixth spot on £87m ($110m). His former PSG team-mate Neymar, who is now in Saudi Arabia with Ronaldo at Al-Hilal, brings in £85m ($108m) while former Madrid striker <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/explained-why-karim-benzema-left-real-madrid-followed-cristiano-ronaldo-saudi-pro-league-ballon-d-or/bltb0da5c83a5abcec8" target="_blank">Karim Benzema – another of those in the Middle East at present</a> – fills eighth spot on £84m ($106m).

DID YOU KNOW?

The biggest mover on the chart is golf star Jon Rahm, who now sits second on £172m ($218m) courtesy of his lucrative LIV deal. NBA greats LeBron James (£101m/$128m) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (£88m/$111m) occupy fourth and fifth respectively, while Golden State Warriors legend Steph Curry sits ninth on £81m ($103m). The top 10 is rounded off by <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/video-lamar-jackson-new-sport-nfl-mvp-soccer-skills-collaboration-harry-kane-bayern-munich/blt8e46411fa2533107" target="_blank">Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson</a> (£79m/$100m), with a £57m ($72m) signing bonus received when penning the new contract that he negotiated – while acting as his own agent – in 2023.

WHAT NEXT?

Cristiano Ronaldo first as Lionel Messi settles for third! Real Madrid-bound Kylian Mbappe also figures on Forbes’ highest-paid athletes chart alongside NBA & NFL superstars | Goal.com

Cristiano Ronaldo tops the charts when it comes to Forbes’ run down of the top 10 highest-paid athletes, with Lionel Messi having to settle for third.

Cristiano Ronaldo first as Lionel Messi settles for third! Real Madrid-bound Kylian Mbappe also figures on Forbes’ highest-paid athletes chart alongside NBA &amp; NFL superstars