Manchester United FC forward, Cristiano Ronaldo, has reclaimed top spot in the list of the world’s highest-paid footballers from Lionel Messi, according to Forbes.
Ronaldo, 36, rejoined Manchester United from Juventus in August after 12 years away, while Messi has swapped boyhood club FC Barcelona for Paris St-Germain (PSG).
Forbes said Ronaldo, among the world’s most popular athletes with over 500 million followers across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, is set to make $125 million before taxes in the 2021/2022 season.
He will also earn $70 million from salary and bonuses at Manchester United.
The rest will come from endorsements and partnerships with brands which include Nike, Herbalife, Clear and CR7 (a brand which he owns).
Messi, who topped the 2020 list, will be paid a salary of $75 million with an additional $35 million from endorsements for total expected earnings of $110 million.
Neymar, the Argentine’s strike partner at PSG, who in May signed a new contract until 2025, is third on the list with total earnings of $95 million.
Another PSG player, Kylian Mbappe, with $43 million, is fourth on the Forbes list while Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah, with $41 million, is fifth.
Below is the list of the top 10 highest earners in football:
Cristiano Ronaldo – 125 million dollars
Lionel Messi – 110 million dollars
Neymar – 95 million dollars
Kylian Mbappe – 43 million dollars
Mohamed Salah – 41 million dollars
Robert Lewandowski – 35 million dollars
Andres Iniesta – 35 million dollars
Paul Pogba – 34 million dollars
Gareth Bale – 32 million dollars
Eden Hazard – 29 million dollars.
