Forbes names Ronaldo best-paid footballer ahead of Messi – See top 5

U.S business magazine, Forbes, has named Cristiano Ronaldo, as the world’s highest-paid footballer and highest-paid team athlete. The Real Madrid forward, is reported to have earned $82 million (£56.7m), with an annual salary of $53m (£36.7m) and $29m (£20m) in endorsements.

Forbes, which also ranked Real Madrid as football’s most valuable club, stated that Ronaldo is now the best-paid team athlete across all sports.

His rival, Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, is second in the list on $77m (£53.3m), with the 28-year-old’s $51m (£35.3m) salary augmented by $26m (£18m) in endorsements.
Former basketball star, Kobe Bryant, who retired in April, is the only team sport athlete to have earned more than Ronaldo. Forbes claims he raked in $680m (£470.8m) in his 17-year career.
Forbes’ top five highest-paid footballers:
1 Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid): $82m (£56.7m)
2 Lionel Messi (Barcelona): $77m (£53.3m)
3 Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Paris Saint-Germain): $37m (£25.6m)
4 Neymar (Barcelona): $36m (£24.9m)
5 Gareth Bale (Real Madrid): $34m (£23.5m)