RIYADH: Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has been named the highest-paid football player in the world for 2024, according to a recent report by Forbes Magazine. Ronaldo, who currently plays for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, is expected to earn $220 million on the field this season, with additional financial incentives from commercial agreements facilitated by his club, making him the top earner in the sport.
According to Philippines News Agency, Forbes Magazine highlighted Ronaldo’s total earnings for 2024 as reaching an unprecedented $285 million, which includes an estimated $65 million generated off the field. This record-breaking figure surpasses his previous earnings of $260 million in 2023. The Portuguese striker has now topped Forbes’ list six times in the past decade, further cementing his financial dominance in the world of football.
Trailing Ronaldo in second place is Lionel Messi from Argentina, who is currently playing for Inter Miami in the Major Soccer League in the United States. Forbes est
imates Messi’s earnings at $135 million before taxes and agent fees, with $75 million coming from off-the-field ventures. Despite his impressive earnings, Messi remains behind Ronaldo for the second consecutive year.
Brazilian forward Neymar, playing for Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia, ranks third on the list, with earnings of $80 million on the field and an additional $30 million off-field. The report by Forbes underscores the significant financial allure of Saudi Arabian clubs, which have attracted top football talent with lucrative contracts.
The rest of the top ten highest-paid footballers, as listed by Forbes, include French player Karim Benzema of Al Ittihad, French striker Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid, Norway’s Erling Haaland of Manchester City, Brazil’s Vinicius of Real Madrid, Egypt’s Mohamed Salah of Liverpool, Senegal’s Sadio Mane of Al Nassr, and Belgium’s Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City. These players showcase a blend of on-field prowess and off-field commercial success, contributing to their subs
tantial earnings.