According to Sportico, Cristiano Ronaldo, forward for the Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr and the Portugal national team, has been named the highest-paid athlete in 2024.
The 40-year-old forward, who was the champion of Europe in 2016 and has won the Ballon d'Or three times (2008, 2016, 2017), earned a total of $260 million over the calendar year.
In second position is American basketballer Stephen Curry, shooting guard for Golden State Warriors in the NBA with $153.8 million has earned. He is a four-time association champion. Tyson Fury, a British professional boxer, comes next on the list and rounds out the top three with earnings of $147 million. He was previously a WBC (2020-2024) and WBO (2015-2016) world champion.
Also among the top 10 sportsmen is Lionel Messi, a forward for MLS club Inter Miami and the Argentina national team who won the World Cup in 2022 earning $135 million (fourth place). Neymar, Santos’ forward in Serie A and 2016 Olympic Champion, sixth place with $133 million. Karim Benzema, forward for Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad, UEFA Nations League with France winner is listed in eighth place with earnings of $116 million. Kylian Mbappe, the 2018 World Cup champion and forward for Real Madrid and the French national team, with earnings of $110 million (ninth place).
On February 10, Arriyadiyah confirmed the extension of Ronaldo's contract with Al-Nassr until the end of 2026.
The day before, on February 9, in an interview with Telefoot, the star forward stated that his goal is to reach 1,000 goals in his professional career.
