The renowned economic magazine Forbes has released this week its annual ranking of the highest-paid athletes in the world, including sponsorship deals. Cristiano Ronaldo tops the list, while two African stars, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané, proudly make it into the Top 50.
For the fourth time in his career, Cristiano Ronaldo is designated as the highest-paid athlete in the world according to Forbes. The Portuguese star has pocketed a hefty sum of $260 million this season, mainly thanks to his astronomical annual salary of $200 million with the Saudi club Al Nassr.
Introducing The World’s Highest-Paid Athletes 2024
— Forbes (@Forbes) May 16, 2024
FULL LIST: https://t.co/7WYIfAwiOa pic.twitter.com/oO6CCyzceV
The second place in this ranking is surprising: Spanish golfer Jon Rahm, playing for LIV Golf funded by Saudi Arabia’s public investment fund, received $218 million, including commercial contracts. Lionel Messi, now with Inter Miami in the United States, occupies the third place with $135 million, but remains far behind the top two.
Salah and Mané: African pride in Forbes’ Top 50
On the African front, Egyptian Mohamed Salah, a star for Liverpool, ranks 38th with $53 million, making him the highest-placed African player and 7th in the world of football. Sadio Mané, another African pride, sits at the 40th spot with earnings of $52 million. These two athletes are the sole representatives of Africa in Forbes’ prestigious Top 50.
Here are the Forbes top 10 highest earners in 2024:
Cristiano Ronaldo (football, $260 million)
Jon Rahm (golf, $218 million)
Lionel Messi (football, $135 million)
LeBron James (basketball, $128.2 million)
Giannis Antetokounmpo (basketball, $111 million)
Kylian Mbappé (football, $110 million)
Neymar (football, $108 million)
Karim Benzema (football, $106 million)
Stephen Curry (basketball, $102 million)
Lamar Jackson (American football, $100.5 million)
The highest-paid footballers in 2024 according to Forbes :
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal): $260 million
Lionel Messi (Argentina): $135 million
Kylian Mbappé (France): $110 million
Neymar (Brazil): $108 million
Karim Benzema (France): $106 million
Erling Haaland (Norway): $61 million
Mohamed Salah (Egypt): $53 million
Sadio Mané (Senegal): $52 million
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