Ronaldo beats Messi and Mbappe in the Forbes list

The 5-time Balon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo has become the world's highest-paid sportsman after his move to Saudi Arabia's Al-Nassr nearly doubled his annual salary. The Argentine World Cup winner Messi and PSG's star striker Mbappé round out the top 3, according to Forbes.

The Al Nassr striker Ronaldo who joined the Saudi club on a contract until 2025 after leaving the Red Devils last year, earned $136 million, and Forbes says his annual player salary has risen to around $75 million. The media estimate that Ronaldo's contract exceeds 200 million euros ($219.98 million). Messi, 35, is next on the list, with $130 million, while his teammate and French team captain Mbappé, the youngest on the list at 24, earns $120 million and ranks third position.

The L-Train, LeBron James with $119.5 Million placed 4th in this tally, the NBA star for Los Angeles Lakers, and Mexican boxer Canelo Álvarez managed to enter in the top 5 with $110 million.

With the arrival of LIV Golf, the independent circuit that has lured some of the best players on the US PGA Tour with huge sums of money, with two of its golfers ranking in the top 10.

The former world number one, 38-year-old professional golfer Dustin Johnson placed 6th with $107 million in this list. Johnson was the top earner after his controversial move to LIV Golf, having failed even to cut to be in the top 50 in 2022. He was accompanied by fellow LIV golfer 52-year-old veteran Phil Mickelson who joins the list in 7th place with $106 million.

4-time NBA champion Stephen Curry placed in the 8th rank with $100.4 million and Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant at 9th place with $89.1 million. Both are the other two NBA players on the list along with James. Former tennis legend and the 20-time single grand slam winner Roger Federer ranked 10th with $95.1 million. The Swiss man is the only retired player in the top 10.