Cristiano Ronaldo has topped the list of the world’s highest-paid football players in 2023 with an estimated income of 214 million pounds ($260 million), according to Forbes.
The 38-year-old’s move to Al-Nassr last year began the exodus of famous stars from European football to the Gulf State.
Ronaldo, the Saudi Pro League’s top scorer and biggest name, has been handsomely rewarded for his efforts and is expected to earn more than double what Kylian Mbappe earns in 2022 – player highest paid last year.
Forbes estimates the Portuguese striker earns around £164m from his club for his efforts on the field of play and another £49m from off-the-field businesses.
Ronaldo has appeared in promotional videos for the country’s Independence Day and for Tyson Fury’s upcoming fight with Francis Ngannou in Riyadh.
Ronaldo is one of four Saudi Pro League stars to make the top 10 with Neymar, Karim Benzema and Sadio Mane in third, fifth and eighth respectively.
Inter Miami’s lucrative offer convinced Lionel Messi to join them in July, helping him take second place with earnings of £111m – more than £100m less than his old rival.
Neymar is not too far behind with £92 million, slightly more than his former teammate and last year’s No. 1 player, Neymar.
Premier League highest earner Erling Haaland is in sixth place with an estimated £48m while Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah is said to earn £44m from his playing achievements and endorsements. his reality.
Manchester City captain Kevin de Bruyne, currently out of action through injury, struck a big-money endorsement deal with McDonald’s in Belgium in March that took him down to ninth place.
The 32-year-old has an estimated income of £32m, higher than Harry Kane, who makes the top 10 with £30m taken home. Bayern Munich’s new star has signed a multi-year partnership with Fanatics, becoming the first British athlete to work exclusively with the company’s autograph and memorabilia department.
