Cristiano Ronaldo joins Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods among the highest-paid athletes of all time, while Lionel Messi fails to crack the top five.
Ronaldo is currently the highest-paid footballer of all time, earning a staggering $1.92 billion (£1.49 billion) throughout his career. His arch-rival Messi is only second with $1.67 billion (£1.30 billion). According to Sportico , David Beckham ranks third among football players with an astonishing figure of 1.5 billion USD.
However, the rankings will change when athletes from other sports are compared. Accordingly, basketball legend Michael Jordan takes the top spot with a huge income of 3.75 billion USD (2.92 billion Pound). Golf master Tiger Woods follows in second place with inflation-adjusted earnings of $2.66 billion (£2.07 billion).
Ronaldo ranked third, while golfer Arnold Palmer ($1.76 billion) and LeBron James ($1.7 billion) rounded out the top five . 2022 World Cup champion Lionel Messi took sixth place.
| Places | Athlete | Income is adjusted for inflation | Income is not adjusted |
| first | Michael Jordan | $3.75 billion (£2.92 billion) | $2.75 billion (£2.14 billion) |
| 2 | Tiger Woods | $2.66 billion (£2.07 billion) | $1.85 billion (£1.44 billion) |
| 3 | Cristiano Ronaldo | $1.92 billion (£1.49 billion) | $1.57 billion (£1.22 billion) |
| 4 | Arnold Palmer | $1.76 billion (£1.37 billion) | $1.36 billion (£1.06 billion) |
| 5 | LeBron James | $1.7 billion (£1.34 billion) | $1.36 billion (£1.06 billion) |
| =6 | Jack Nicklaus | $1.67 billion (£1.30 billion) | $890 million (£693 million) |
| =6 | Lionel Messi | $1.67 billion (£1.30 billion) | $1.36 billion (£1.06 billion) |
| 8 | David Beckham | $1.5 billion (£1.17 billion) | $1.13 billion (£880 million) |
| 9 | Roger Federer | $1.49 billion (£1.16 billion) | $1.17 billion (£910 million) |
| ten | Floyd Mayweather | $1.48 billion (£1.15 billion) | $1.14 billion (£890 million) |
Ronaldo will be hoping to prove that he is worthy of the lucrative contract signed with Al Nassr, by helping the team achieve success in the Saudi Pro League and AFC Champions League this season.
Meanwhile, Messi and his Inter Miami teammates will aim to maintain a positive start to the 2024 MLS season and continue to win more titles with the Florida club.
