According to Forbes, Cristiano Ronaldo is the world’s highest-paid footballer in 2023, earning an estimated £214 million ($260 million).
The 38-year-old’s signing to Al-Nassr last year sparked a migration of high-profile European footballers to the Gulf State.
Ronaldo, the Saudi Pro League’s top scorer and most well-known player, has been richly compensated for his achievements, reportedly earning more than double what Kylian Mbappe earned in 2022 – the highest-paid player last year.
According to Forbes, the Portuguese forward earns approximately £164 million from his club for his achievements on the field and an additional £49 million from off-field ventures.
Ronaldo has starred in videos promoting the country’s National Day and Tyson Fury’s impending figҺt against Francis Ngannou in Riyadh.
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Cristiano Ronaldo has topped the world’s hiughest-paid footballer list in 2023 with an estimated earning of £214million
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The superstar has appeared in promotional videos for upcoming events in the country
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Kylian Mbappe signed a contract deal with PSG last year, helping him top the list.
Ronaldo is one of four Saudi Pro League stars in the top ten, joining Neymar, Karim Benzema, and Sadio Mane in third, fifth, and sixth place, respectively.
Inter Miami’s rich bid that persuaded Lionel Messi to join them in July places him second, with earnings of £111 million, more than £100 million less than his former competitor.
Neymar is not far behind, at £92 million, a bit more than his former teammate and last year’s number one, Mbappe.
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Lionel Messi apparently earns as much from his wages at Inter Miami as he does through endorsements.
Erling Haaland, the Premier League’s highest earner, is ranked sixth with an estimated £48 million, while Liverpool’s talisman Mohamed Salah is reported to earn £44 million from his playing and endorsement achievements.
Manchester City captain Kevin de Bruyne, who is currently sidelined due to ιnjury, signed a lucrative endorsement contract with McDonald’s in Belgium in March, propelling him to ninth.
The 32-year-old earns an estimated £32 million, ahead of Harry Kane, who closes out the top ten with a £30 million salary. The new Bayern Munich star has struck a multi-year deal with Fanatics, making him the first British athlete to work exclusively with the company’s autographs and memorabilia business.