Cristiano Ronaldo has eclipsed Lionel Messi as the highest-paid player on the planet, as per Forbes’ current rankings, as a byproduct of his triumphant return to Manchester United. Ronaldo is anticipated to earn $125 million before taxes for the 2021-22 season, with $70 million coming from salary and bonuses for his return to United. Commercial deals are estimated to net the 36-year-old $55 million. As active athletes, only Roger Federer ($90 million), LeBron James ($65 million), and Tiger Woods ($60 million) earn more money.
Ronaldo returned to Manchester United after a shock move from Juventus, where he had spent six years from 2003 to 2009. This year, the Portugal star also broke the Guinness record for most international goals, surpassing Iranian Ali Daei’s 109 goals.
According to Forbes, Lionel Messi, Ronaldo’s Argentine adversary, will make $110 million this season, with $75 million coming from his own salary and bonuses at the Parc des Princes. In sponsorships, the former Barcelona star is expected to earn $35 million.
After Barcelona, where he had spent the previous two decades, was unable to extend his contract owing to budgetary constraints, Messi joined PSG as a free agent this summer.
PSG now has three of the world’s top five highest-paid players, including Neymar, who is back at third place with $95 million, and Kylian Mbappe, who is fourth with $43 million.
The ten highest-paid footballers are expected to make roughly $585 million in pre-tax earnings this season, up from around $570 million last year.
