Cristiano Ronaldo: World's Highest-Paid Athlete 2023; No Virat Kohli

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Cristiano Ronaldo Becomes World's Highest-Paid Athlete Of 2023

In the age of marketing, athletes lead the consumer market as brand ambassadors in addition to being the best at what they do. These sportsmen are marketing treasures for the most well-known companies in the world and are also entrepreneurs who are earning significantly more money off the field than on it.

According to the latest Forbes' highest-paid athletes list in 2023, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, LeBron James, and Canelo Alvarez have turned out to be the highest-earning athletes of 2023. They have secured the top five positions on the list.

Portugal star striker, Cristiano Ronaldo became the world's highest-paid athlete after his move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr nearly doubled his annual playing salary while Paris St Germain duo Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe round off the top three

The football legend was expected to finish his career in Europe but he was without a club after the end of his controversial stint with Manchester United. He was yet to finalize a club even during the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Ronaldo's move to Al Nassr didn't just give him a new home in Asia but also saw him bag his biggest contract.

The football icon reportedly signed a deal worth 200 million euros and this has seen him become the highest-paid athlete in the world once again. He signed a 2.5-year deal with the Asian club.

According to Forbes' report, Ronaldo has earned $136 million in 2023 and is the highest-paid athlete (from May 1, 2022 to May 1, 2023). The 38-year-old has an on-field earning of $46 million and an off-field earning of $90 million.

He is followed by Lionel Messi, who has earned $130 million.

Messi was already one of the most sought-after athletes in the world and his stocks have skyrocketed after he captained Argentina to a title win in the FIFA WC.

Messi is followed by Kylian Mbappe, who has earned $120 million. He and Messi are teammates at PSG.

Los Angeles Lakers player and NBA great LeBron James ($119.5 million) and Mexican boxer Canelo Alvarez ($110 million) rounded out the top five.

Former world number one Dustin Johnson (sixth with $107 million) made the biggest gain after making the controversial switch to LIV Golf having not even made the cut for the top 50 in 2022 while he was joined by fellow LIV golfer Phil Mickelson (seventh with $106 million).

Four-times NBA champion Stephen Curry ($100.4 million) and Phoenix Suns' Kevin Durant ($89.1 million) are the other two basketball players on the list.

Former tennis ace Roger Federer ($95.1 million) is the only retired player in the top 10.

Forbes said its on-field earnings figures include all prize money, salaries and bonuses earned in the last 12 months while off-field earnings are an estimate of sponsorship deals, appearance fees, licensing income and cash returns from businesses they operate.

Players name Income (In $)

Cristiano Ronaldo 136

Lionel Messi 130

Kylian Mbappe 120

LeBron James 119.5

Canelo Alvarez 110

Dustin Johnson 107

Phil Mickelson 106

Stephen Curry 100.4

Roger Federer 95.1

Kevin Durant 89.1