Cristiano Ronaldo remained the highest-paid footballer for a second year in a row, earning an incredible $8.5 million (R102 million) more than Lionel Messi.
Read: Real Tops 2015 Forbes Rich List
The Portuguese banked $79 million (R946 million) in 2014, in salary, bonus and endorsements – a sum that also makes him the highest paid team athlete in the world - according to Forbes' latest Rich List.
However, boxing sensation Floyd Mayweather was the best earner in 2014 with an income of $104 million (R1.25 billion).
The Real Madrid talisman reportedly earned $52 million (R623 million) in salary and $27 million (R323 million) in endorsements throughout the last year.
Ronaldo's long-standing rival, Messi, is the second highest-paid footballer with an income of $70.5 million (R844 million) in 2014.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic's follows in third, but he has earned more than $35 million (R419 million) less than Ronaldo. The Swede still collected an impressive $41.8 million (R500 million) in 2014.
Ronaldo's teammate Gareth Bale is in fourth spot with earnings of $34.9 million (R418 million) while Barcelona's Neymar was the fifth-highest paid footballer with $31.7 million (R380 million).
Read: Ronaldo Is Highest-Paid Footballer
Forbes explains, "to compile the list of the world's highest paid we combed through team filings and spoke with players' agent, talent agencies, commercial sponsors and soccer experts in the U.S. and Europe."
Do you think Ronaldo's performances justify the fact that that he is the best paid footballer? Have your say in the comments section below.
