![Cristiano Ronaldo reclaims top spot as world's highest-paid athlete after Saudi move Cristiano Ronaldo reclaims top spot as world's highest-paid athlete after Saudi move](https://www.graphic.com.gh/images/2023/may/09/croooo.jpg)
Kweku Zurek
Sports News
Forbes magazine has reported that Cristiano Ronaldo is now the highest-paid athlete in the world, a position he last held in 2017, following his transfer to Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, which almost doubled his annual playing salary.
Ronaldo earned a total of $136m, with his playing salary estimated at around $75m.
His contract has been valued at more than $220m. Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe, both of Paris Saint-Germain, took second and third place, respectively, on the list.
LeBron James and Canelo Alvarez rounded out the top five, while LIV Golf, a new breakaway tour, saw two of its players, Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson, in the top 10. Forbes said its earnings figures include all on-field earnings such as prize money, salaries, and bonuses, and off-field earnings such as sponsorship deals, appearance fees, and licensing income.
World’s top 10 highest paid athletes 2023;