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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Ronaldo top paid athlete in 2023</li><li>Messi came in third in sport's rich list</li><li>PSG star Mbappe also in top five</li></ul>

Cristiano Ronaldo beats Lionel Messi! Al-Nassr superstar named world's highest-paid athlete after earning incredible £218m in 2023 - but which other footballers feature in rich list?

Ronaldo signed a lucrative contract with Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr last January and earned an incredible £218 million ($275m) over the course of the year. That puts him top of the list of highest-paid athletes, according to <a href="https://www.sportico.com/feature/highest-paid-athletes-in-the-world-1234765608/" target="_blank">Sportico</a>, a massive £57m more than the second highest, golf star Jon Rahm, who earned £161m ($203m).

WHAT HAPPENED?

Messi, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/inter-miami-preseason-tour-from-hell-lionel-messi-disaster-mls-favorites/blt3b8f7769de98a3e7" target="_blank">who left Paris Saint-Germain for Inter Miami last summer</a>, was the third best-paid athlete for the year, raking in £103m ($130m), just ahead of basketball icon LeBron James (£99.8m/$126m), while Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe rounded off the top five with £99.2m ($125m). Al-Hilal and Brazil attacker Neymar came in just behind Mbappe after making £96m ($121m) in 2023 and the next highest earner in football was Karim Benzema, who made £61m ($77m) and came in 12th in the list.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

It is no surprise to see <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-lionel-messi-top-football-2024-instagram-rich-list-england-star-fourth-ahead-harry-kane-erling-haaland/blt6a916ad7d23224c0" target="_blank">Ronaldo at the top of the list</a>, having signed a two-year deal with Al-Nassr worth a whopping £175m ($221m) per year. The 39-year-old also has a load of lucrative sponsorships with other brands worth around £48m ($60m).

DID YOU KNOW?

The likes of Ronaldo and Messi stand to have another well-paid year as they continue their contracts with Al-Nassr and Inter Miami, respectively. Ronaldo will hope to fire his team to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-told-still-best-world-al-hilal-boss-jorge-jesus-wants-al-nassr-superstar-fit-riyadh-season-cup-clash/blta021162f264c474a" target="_blank">Saudi Pro League and AFC Champions League success this season</a>, while Messi will look to lead the Florida club into the MLS playoffs in 2024.

WHAT NEXT FOR RONALDO?

Cristiano Ronaldo beats Lionel Messi! Al-Nassr superstar named world's highest-paid athlete after earning incredible £218m in 2023 - but which other footballers feature in rich list? | Goal.com English Saudi Arabia

Cristiano Ronaldo was the highest-earning athlete in the world in 2023, while Inter Miami star Lionel Messi came third in the list.

Cristiano Ronaldo beats Lionel Messi! Al-Nassr superstar named world&apos;s highest-paid athlete after earning incredible £218m in 2023 - but which other footballers feature in rich list?