World’s highest paid athlete 2023:  Ronaldo overtakes Messi

Portuguese football player Cristiano Ronaldo has earned a Guinness World Records title for the highest annual earnings for an athlete in 2023, reported the 24NewsHD TV channel.  

For the first time since 2017 (and third time overall), Cristiano Ronaldo has topped Forbes’ list of the world’s highest-paid athletes.

In the 12 months leading up to 1 May 2023 (the date by which most sports seasons are concluded), Ronaldo is estimated to have earned $136 million (£107.5 M).

Ronaldo takes the title from Messi, who was the highest-paid athlete of 2022 with an estimated $130 million (£103 M).

Ronaldo’s record-breaking income is comprised of $46 million (£35 M) in on-field earnings and $90 million (£68.5 M) in off-field earnings. Following a somewhat underwhelming second spell at Manchester United, Ronaldo departed in January 2023 for Saudi Arabian team Al-Nassr. He received a bumper contract that nearly doubled his salary to an estimated $75 million (£57 M).

However, his on-field earnings are dwarfed by his off-field earnings. In addition to his lifetime contract with Nike, Ronaldo also makes money through his CR7-branded merchandise.

Forbes calculates athletes’ earnings based on data obtained from industry insiders, news reports, and salary databases.

The on-field earnings figures include salaries, prize money, and bonuses, whilst the off-field earnings are an estimate of sponsorship deals, appearance fees, memorabilia, and licensing income, plus cash returns from any businesses in which the athlete has a significant interest.

They do not include interest payments or dividends from investment income, but they do account for payouts from equity stakes that athletes have sold.