Cristiano Ronaldo was the world’s highest-paid athlete in 2024, with the Portuguese topping the likes of Steph Curry, Tyson Fury and Lionel Messi.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Evergreen frontman Ronaldo, who is still going strong with Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr at 40 years of age, earned $260 million (£208m) across the last calendar year – with $215m (£172m) of that coming from his record-breaking contract in the Middle East.

THE GOSSIP

NBA superstar Curry, of the Golden State Warriors, fills second spot on the Sportico top-earners list on $153.8m (£123m). Former world heavyweight boxing champion Fury is third ($147m/£118m), while Ronaldo’s eternal rival Messi – who is now in MLS with Inter Miami – sitting fourth ($135m/£108m) and LA Lakers icon LeBron James ($133.2m/£107m) completing the top five.

DID YOU KNOW?

Overall, the top 100 highest-paid athletes on the planet pulled in an estimated $6.2 billion (£5bn) between them. Prominent figures from eight different sports – football, basketball, boxing, golf, American football, Formula 1, baseball and tennis – make the list, with 27 countries represented.

Cristiano Ronaldo was the world’s highest-paid athlete in 2024, with the Portuguese topping the likes of Steph Curry, Tyson Fury and Lionel Messi.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Evergreen frontman Ronaldo, who is still going strong with Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr at 40 years of age, earned $260 million (£208m) across the last calendar year – with $215m (£172m) of that coming from his record-breaking contract in the Middle East.

THE GOSSIP

NBA superstar Curry, of the Golden State Warriors, fills second spot on the Sportico top-earners list on $153.8m (£123m). Former world heavyweight boxing champion Fury is third ($147m/£118m), while Ronaldo’s eternal rival Messi – who is now in MLS with Inter Miami – sitting fourth ($135m/£108m) and LA Lakers icon LeBron James ($133.2m/£107m) completing the top five.

DID YOU KNOW?

Overall, the top 100 highest-paid athletes on the planet pulled in an estimated $6.2 billion (£5bn) between them. Prominent figures from eight different sports – football, basketball, boxing, golf, American football, Formula 1, baseball and tennis – make the list, with 27 countries represented.