Cristiano Ronaldo was the world's highest-paid footballer -- and highest-paid team athlete -- last year, according to US business magazine Forbes.
Real Madrid star Ronaldo was said to have earned a total of $82 million (£56.7m), with an annual salary of $53m (£36.7m) and $29m (£20m) in endorsements.
The 31-year-old Portugal captain, who became the world's most expensive player when he joined Madrid from Manchester United for £80m in 2009, signed a lucrative new five-year contract at the Bernabeu in 2013.
Forbes, which also ranked Real Madrid as football's most valuable club, said Ronaldo, a three-time FIFA Ballon d'Or winner, is now the best-paid team athlete across all sport.
Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, the 2015 FIFA Ballon d'Or winner, was second in the list on $77m (£53.3m), with the 28-year-old's $51m (£35.3m) salary augmented by $26m (£18m) in endorsements. The Argentina captain renewed his Barca contract in 2014.
Forbes reported that Ronaldo has made $550m (£380.9m) over the course of his 14-year playing career, which began with Sporting Lisbon, while Messi, who has spent his entire career with Barca, has made $450m (£311.5m) in his 11 years.
Former basketball star Kobe Bryant, who retired in April, is the only team sport athlete to have made more than Ronaldo, with Forbes reporting that he earned $680m (£470.8m) in a career that lasted 17 years.
Cristiano Ronaldo was the world's highest-paid footballer -- and highest-paid team athlete -- last year, according to US business magazine Forbes.
ReplyDeleteReal Madrid star Ronaldo was said to have earned a total of $82 million (£56.7m), with an annual salary of $53m (£36.7m) and $29m (£20m) in endorsements.
The 31-year-old Portugal captain, who became the world's most expensive player when he joined Madrid from Manchester United for £80m in 2009, signed a lucrative new five-year contract at the Bernabeu in 2013.
Forbes, which also ranked Real Madrid as football's most valuable club, said Ronaldo, a three-time FIFA Ballon d'Or winner, is now the best-paid team athlete across all sport.
Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, the 2015 FIFA Ballon d'Or winner, was second in the list on $77m (£53.3m), with the 28-year-old's $51m (£35.3m) salary augmented by $26m (£18m) in endorsements. The Argentina captain renewed his Barca contract in 2014.
Forbes reported that Ronaldo has made $550m (£380.9m) over the course of his 14-year playing career, which began with Sporting Lisbon, while Messi, who has spent his entire career with Barca, has made $450m (£311.5m) in his 11 years.
Former basketball star Kobe Bryant, who retired in April, is the only team sport athlete to have made more than Ronaldo, with Forbes reporting that he earned $680m (£470.8m) in a career that lasted 17 years.
Follow
Forbes ✔ @Forbes
World's highest-paid soccer players:
1. Cristiano Ronaldo
2. Lionel Messi
3. Zlatan Ibrahimovichttp://onforb.es/1NqAcsU #ForbesFoot