Cristiano Ronaldo Leads Forbes' 2024 List of Highest-Paid Athletes

Cristiano Ronaldo, the superstar forward of Al Nassr football club, has again topped Forbes' list of the highest-paid athletes in 2024, marking his fourth appearance at the summit. According to Forbes, Ronaldo, 39, has earned a staggering $260m (£205m), witnessing a significant rise from last year's $136m (£108.7m).

Following Ronaldo, Spanish golfer Jon Rahm ranks second due to his switch to the Saudi-funded LIV Golf tour, earning around $218m (£172m).

Lionel Messi, rival to Ronaldo, slipped to third place while footballers Neymar and Karim Benzema made their entry into the top 10, owing to moves to the Saudi Pro League.

The list also featured basketball stars LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Stephen Curry, as well as American football quarterback Lamar Jackson.

Collectively, the elite group of the world’s ten highest-earning athletes amassed $1.38 billion (£1.06 billion), before taxes and agent’s fees, over the past 12 months, marking the highest total ever.