Cristiano Ronaldo will become the world's highest-paid soccer player in 2023, surpassing the likes of Lionel Messi and Neymar in the past 12 months, according to Forbes.
Ronaldo, who Forbes magazine also ranks as the highest-paid athlete in sports, topped the list with an estimated total income of $260 million.
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The Portuguese forward's contract with Saudi Arabian club Al Nasr, who joined from Manchester United in January, is thought to be worth $200 million, while other players including Nike and Jacob & Co. 's sponsorship portfolio is estimated to be worth $60 million annually. According to Forbes magazine.
Lionel Messi was boosted by his move to MLS club Inter Miami, ranking second on the list with an estimated total income of $135 million.
Messi is the first MLS player to break into the top 10 since David Beckham in 2012.
Brazilian forward Neymar signed with Al Hilal of the Saudi Professional League in August, finishing in the top three with a total salary of $112 million.
The influence of the Saudi Professional League is clearly visible in Forbes' list, with four players (Ronaldo, Neymar, Karim Benzema and Sadio Mane) in the world's top 11 earners.
According to Forbes magazine, the combined earnings of the four players in the Saudi Professional League account for more than half of the $995 million earned by all 11 players on the richest list.
Kylian Mbappé comes in second place in the rankings, just behind his former Paris Saint-Germain teammate Neymar, with a total income of $110 million.
Manchester City's Erling Haaland has become the highest-paid Premier League player, ahead of Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and teammate Kevin De Bruyne.
According to Forbes, on-field revenue includes all winnings, salaries, and bonuses earned over the past 12 months, while off-field revenue includes sponsorship deals, appearance fees, licensing income, and any business operations. This is an estimate of cash proceeds.
Forbes list of top 11 highest paid soccer players of 2023
1. Cristiano Ronaldo ($260 million)
2nd place Lionel Messi ($135 million)
3. Neymar ($112 million)
4th Kylian Mbappe ($110 million)
5th place: Karim Benzema ($106 million)
6th place Erling Haaland ($58 million)
7. Mohamed Salah ($53 million)
8. Sadio Mane ($52 million)
9. Kevin De Bruyne ($39 million)
10. Harry Kane ($36 million)
11. Robert Lewandowski ($34 million)
