It’s that time of the year again. Forbes magazine has come out with its much awaited annual list of the highest-paid players and most valued teams across the sporting world. According to their list, the highest paid footballer, as well as the highest paid team athlete in the world last year was none other than Cristiano Ronaldo with a total of 82 million dollars in earnings.
Taking a closer look at the breakdown of their sums, Cristiano Ronaldo’s 82 million dollars consisted of his annual salary of 53 million dollars and the remaining 29 million dollars being made through endorsement deals. The Portuguese superstar moved to Real Madrid in the summer of 2009 for a then world record transfer fee of 80 million pounds which made him the world’s most expensive player at the time.
The 31-year old has been at his breathtaking best for Los Blancos, having already surpassed club legend Raul as the club’s all-time top scorer. He was rewarded with a new lucrative contract in 2013 which keeps him at the Bernabeu till 2018.
Also read: Ronaldo's agent reaches verbal agreement with PSG - report
His eternal rival and reigning Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi comes in second place with annual earnings amounting to 77 million dollars, 51 million in salary and 26 million through various endorsements.
Ronaldo’s team Real Madrid is the most valuable club in football according to Forbes. The three-time Ballon d'Or winner is also reportedly the best-paid athlete across all sports, the US Business magazine revealed.
They reported that CR7 has already amassed 550 million dollars in his 14-year playing career so far, compared to Messi’s 450 million dollars in his 11-year career.
The recently retired basketball legend Kobe Bryant is said to be only one to have earned more than Cristiano with 680 million dollars as a team sports athlete in 17 years.
After Ronaldo and Messi, there appears to be a massive gulf, not only in terms of footballing quality but also money wise as Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a distant third with 37 million dollars. The majority of the Swede’s earnings come through his salary of 30 million and endorsements account to only 7 million dollars.Ibrahimovic could mostly be plying his trade elsewhere come next season, with him being out of contract at PSG after 2015-16.
Messi’s Barcelona teammate Neymar comes in at fourth place at 36 million dollars, with the Brazilian being the only footballer in the list to earn more through endorsements (22 million) than his actual salary (14 million).
It is rumoured that Neymar and the Catalan club have agreed to sign a much more profitable deal, but it has been kept on hold due to certain financial issues.
The most expensive player in the world currently, having replaced his teammate Ronaldo at the top, Welsh wizard Gareth Bale is next with reported earnings of 34 million dollars.His move from Tottenham and his subsequent six-year contract at Real Madrid signed in 2013 sees him earn quite a sizeable amount.
