Highest earners in sports: Cristiano Ronaldo leads with over $100m, Messi 4th [Full list]

Football icon, Cristiano Ronaldo has earned $100 million more than Stephen Curry who is second-placed on the newly released list of the top 100 highest-paid athletes in the world.

The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus star is unsurprisingly occupying the top position in the list, which was published by Sportico.

Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in 2023 – a deal that put him top of the list of highest earners in sports.

He joined the Saudi Pro League side on a free transfer that would see him receive approximately $215 million per annum, tax-free.

Now 40, if he rextends his contract and remains Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo is expected to retain his spot at the top of the list.

The Portugal international also earns another $45 million in endorsements and this, according to the report, sets the former Sporting CP man up at an impressive total of $260 million per annum.

Legendary basketball point guard, Curry earns well over $100 million less than that with his $153.8 million in total.

Heavyweight boxer, Tyson Fury is in the third position with $147 million, with Lionel Messi in fourth place with $135 million.

Others are LeBron James, fifth with $133.2m, Neymar sixth with $133 million, Oleksandr Usyk, $122 million, Karim Benzema $116 million, and Kylian Mbappe $110 million. In 10th, Jon Rahm earned $105.8 million.

Erling Haaland is in 24th place with $70 million. Mohamed Salah and Vinicius Jr are both 38th with $55 million each. Riyad Mahrez is 44th with $52 million, Sadio Mane 67th with $45.5 million and Harry Kane 81st with $42 million.

The last footballer is Kevin De Bruyne, who sits in 89th with $39.5 million.

Highest earners in sports: Cristiano Ronaldo leads with over $100m, Messi 4th [Full list]