Forbes: C. Ronaldo, highest-paid footballer ($285m) in 2024-25, ahead of L. Messi & Neymar Jr.

International forward Cristiano Ronaldo (39, Al Nassr FC) is the world's highest-paid footballer in in 2024-25, according to Forbes magazine's ranking of the highest earners, published on 17/10/2024. The Portuguese player is expected to earn $285m (€262m as at 17/10/2024) this season, including $220m from his sporting achievements and $65m from sponsorship contracts.

"The Portuguese superstar leads the list for the sixth time in the last decade. His $285m total is a record in soccer, beating the $260m he posted on the 2023 list," said Forbes.

Cristiano Ronaldo ranks ahead of Argentina's Lionel Messi (37), whose income is estimated at $135m ($60m salary & bonuses and $75m from partnerships), and who joined Inter Miami CF (MLS) in July 2023 until the end of 2025. The latter is the player with the highest income outside his club contract ($75m). In third place is Brazil's Neymar Jr ($110m), who also joined a Saudi club (Al Hilal) in August 2023 until June 2025. Kylian Mbappé (FRA/Real Madrid CF), who topped the rankings in 2022-23 (with $128m), is ranked fifth ($90m).

In total, the ten…