Cristiano Ronaldo Tops Earnings List with Staggering £218 Million
Neymar, despite facing injury issues, managed to earn £62 million from his club contract and £23 million from sponsorships, showcasing the lucrative nature of football contracts in Saudi Arabia.
Cristiano Ronaldo has once again proven his dominance off the pitch by earning an unprecedented £218 million over the last year, making him the highest-earning football player in history. According to Forbes, the 39-year-old superstar's remarkable income stems from a lucrative contract with Saudi club Al Nassr, where he pocketed £168 million, along with an additional £50 million from various sponsorship deals.
Record Earnings
This latest achievement marks the sixth time in the last decade that Ronaldo has led the annual earnings list. His continued success in attracting wealth, both through his club and endorsement deals, suggests he is well-positioned to maintain his top spot in the coming year, particularly since he is contracted with Al Nassr until at least next summer.
Messi's Earnings Fall Short
Ronaldo's earnings significantly outpace those of his longtime rival, Lionel Messi, who earned £103 million in the same time frame. While Messi surpassed Ronaldo in off-field earnings with £57 million, his £46 million salary from Inter Miami pales in comparison to the astronomical figures available in Saudi football.
Other Top Earners
In the broader landscape of football's highest earners, the list is as follows:
- Cristiano Ronaldo - £218 million
- Lionel Messi - £103 million
- Neymar - £85 million (with Al Hilal)
- Karim Benzema - £80 million (with Al Ittihad)
- Kylian Mbappé - £69 million (after moving to Real Madrid)
- Erling Haaland - £46 million
- Mohamed Salah - £41 million
- Kevin De Bruyne - £30 million
- Vinicius Jr - Earnings not disclosed
- Sadio Mané - Earnings not disclosed
Neymar, despite facing injury issues, managed to earn £62 million from his club contract and £23 million from sponsorships, showcasing the lucrative nature of football contracts in Saudi Arabia.
Future Projections
As Ronaldo continues to defy age and remain a global icon, the expectations are high for his earnings to remain robust. With Erling Haaland eyeing a lucrative new contract with Manchester City, he could potentially rise up the earnings list in the near future.
Overall, Ronaldo’s financial success underscores the increasing value of footballers not just as athletes but as brand ambassadors and global icons.
