Cristiano Ronaldo Tops Forbes’ 2024 Highest-Paid Athletes List for Third Straight Year

Football icon Cristiano Ronaldo has once again proven he’s not just a legend on the pitch — but a business empire in motion. For the third consecutive year, the Portuguese forward sits comfortably atop Forbes’ list of highest-paid athletes, raking in a jaw-dropping £206.6 million ($275 million) in 2024.

That’s a £11.2m rise from his 2023 earnings, driven largely by his £177m-a-year salary at Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, which he joined in December 2022 following his exit from Manchester United.

The 40-year-old continues to dominate financially over other global stars including NBA sharpshooter Stephen Curry, British boxing champion Tyson Fury, and longtime rival Lionel Messi, who now ranks fifth.

🏆 Top 10 Highest-Paid Athletes in 2024 (Forbes)

1. Cristiano Ronaldo – £206.6m ($275m)

2. Stephen Curry – £117.1m ($156m)

3. Tyson Fury – £109.5m ($146m)

4. Dak Prescott – £102.8m ($137m)

5. Lionel Messi – £101.3m ($135m)

6. LeBron James – £100.4m ($133.8m)

7. Juan Soto – £85.5m ($114m)

8. Karim Benzema – £78m ($104m)

9. Shohei Ohtani – £76.9m ($102.5m)

10. Kevin Durant – £76.1m ($101.4m)

✍🏾 Opinion: CR7 Isn’t Just Winning — He’s Redefining the Game

At 40, most players are thinking about retirement. But Cristiano Ronaldo has rewritten the rules, showing that age is no limit when you build your brand right, stay fit, and stay hungry.

From his commercial endorsements to his global fanbase, Ronaldo is more than an athlete — he’s a global franchise, with money pouring in from fashion, fitness, fragrance, NFTs, and football.

The fact that he's earning nearly double what the next athlete on the list makes is a loud, clear message: longevity + consistency = legacy.

Is Ronaldo the greatest football businessman of all time?
Should young athletes focus more on brand-building like CR7?
Ronaldo’s wallet stays winning — but can he lift a trophy next season with Al Nassr?