Cristiano Ronaldo Tops Forbes 2025 Rich List With Record £206M Earnings
Cristiano Ronaldo has once again been crowned the world’s highest-paid athlete, topping Forbes’ 2025 rich list with staggering earnings of £206.6 million ($275 million).
According to Forbes, the 40-year-old Al Nassr star saw an £11.2 million increase from his 2023 earnings, marking his third consecutive year at the top and fifth time overall in his career. His massive £177 million-a-year salary from Saudi club Al Nassr, combined with lucrative sponsorships and a 939 million social media following, solidified his financial dominance.
Ronaldo surpassed NBA icon Stephen Curry (£117 million), British boxer Tyson Fury (£109 million), and long-time rival Lionel Messi (£101 million). Messi, ranked fifth, earned £101.4 million, including £56.2 million from off-field deals, such as promoting Saudi tourism.
Other top earners include:
Karim Benzema (8th, £78.2 million)
LeBron James (6th, £100.4 million)
Shohei Ohtani (9th, £76.9 million)
Meanwhile, Manchester City’s Erling Haaland ranked 34th (£46.5 million), proving Saudi clubs dominate athlete earnings.
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