Cristiano Ronaldo continues to dominate both on and off the field, topping the list of highest-paid athletes for the second straight year with an eye-watering £208 million in earnings during 2024, according to a new Sportico report.
The Portuguese superstar, who now plays for Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, isn’t just leading the pack – he’s leaving them in the dust. His earnings towered £85 million above his closest competitor, thanks largely to his mammoth £175 million annual salary and lucrative endorsement deals.
NBA sharpshooter Stephen Curry claimed the second spot with £123 million, though he did manage to outshine Ronaldo in one category. The Golden State Warriors star topped the endorsement rankings, pulling in £80 million from sponsorship deals to complement his £43 million salary.
The beautiful game dominated the top 10, with football stars claiming half the spots. Alongside Ronaldo, familiar faces Lionel Messi, Neymar, Karim Benzema, and Kylian Mbappe all featured among sports’ highest earners.
And it seems Ronaldo’s reign at the top isn’t ending anytime soon. At 40 years old, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is reportedly close to signing a contract extension worth a staggering £167.9 million per year, proving age is just a number when you’re one of sport’s most marketable figures.
