Cristiano Ronaldo has once again claimed the top spot on the list of the world’s highest-paid athletes, earning a staggering $260 million in 2024. His lucrative contract with Al Nassr played a pivotal role in ensuring his dominance for the second consecutive year. The list, which includes athletes from eight different sports and 27 countries, emphasizes the financial prowess of players from football, the NBA, NFL, golf, and boxing. Collectively, these athletes amassed an estimated $6.2 billion in total income last year.
Ronaldo's earnings are comprised of a substantial $215 million in wages and an additional $45 million from endorsements. This impressive income places him far ahead of his peers, with NBA star LeBron James, who is notably the only 40-year-old playing in the league, earning $133.2 million. Tyson Fury follows closely behind Ronaldo in third place, with a total income of $147 million.
Despite the staggering figures among male athletes, female athletes have struggled to make it into the top 100. Coco Gauff was the top-earning female athlete last year, bringing in $30.4 million. In previous years, Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams led the charts for female athletes, earning $57.3 million and $41.8 million respectively. However, none of these figures reached the threshold necessary to break into the top 100 alongside their male counterparts.
The income disparity is further highlighted by comparing Ronaldo's earnings to other top athletes. Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry earned $153.8 million, still significantly less than Ronaldo. Five-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi, currently playing for Inter Miami, secured a total income of $135 million. Meanwhile, Daniel Jones, a Minnesota Vikings quarterback, rounded out the list at number 100 with a total income of $37.5 million.
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