Cristiano Ronaldo earns big in Saudi Arabia and Lionel Messi is the highest-paid player of all time in the United States, but who are the 10 top earners in world football in 2024?
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Manchester United and Real Madrid legend Ronaldo is poised to rake in a staggering $220 million (R3.8 billion) in 2024, solidifying his status as the highest-earning footballer in the world for the sixth time in the past decade.
Ronaldo's move to Al Nassr in January 2023, following a highly publicised fallout with United manager Erik ten Hag and a controversial interview with Piers Morgan, has opened the floodgates for the Portuguese star to earn remarkable sums.
According to Forbes, this impressive figure is bolstered by various financial incentives from the Saudi Pro League club, including his attendance at high-profile events such as Tyson Fury's world title unification fight against Oleksandr Usyk in May.
However, this total does not factor in Ronaldo's lucrative personal sponsorship deals, which further inflate his earnings.
When these are included, it is estimated that Ronaldo's earnings for the calendar year could soar to an astonishing $285 million (R5 billion), surpassing his 2023 total of $260 million (R4.5 billion).
Remarkably, only boxing legend Floyd Mayweather has eclipsed this figure in a single year while still active in the sporting world, according to Forbes' records dating back to 1990.
Click through the gallery below to see the 10 top earners in football in 2024:
Barcelona great and current Inter Miami player Messi trails Ronaldo on this year's list, with $135 million (R2.3 billion) in earnings.
Kylian Mbappe stands as the first European-based player to feature in the top ranks, securing the fifth spot with $90 million (R1.5 billion) for the year.
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Meanwhile, Manchester City's Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne follow closely in sixth and 10th places with earnings of $60 million (R1 billion) and $39 million (R527 million), respectively.
