Ronaldo Tops Forbes Rich List for Third Year Running

Cristiano Ronaldo has once again been named the world’s highest-paid athlete by Forbes, marking his third consecutive year at the top. The 40-year-old Portuguese footballer has now claimed the top spot five times overall in his career.

According to the magazine, Ronaldo earned an estimated $275 million (around £206.6 million) over the past year, driven by his contract with Saudi club Al Nassr and his vast portfolio of endorsements. His commercial appeal has surged, largely due to his record-breaking 939 million social media followers, making him one of the most influential athletes globally.

Read More: Veteran All-Rounder Withdraws from PSL 10 Citing Family Concerns

NBA star Stephen Curry climbed to second on the list after earning $156 million (approx. £117.2 million). The Golden State Warriors guard made history earlier this year as the first NBA player to reach 4,000 career three-pointers.

British boxer Tyson Fury jumped to third with $146 million (£109.7 million), thanks to a Netflix reality series and a sponsorship deal with Malta’s tourism board—despite his recent defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.

Meanwhile, Lionel Messi slipped to fifth place, falling behind Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.

Read More: Sikandar Raza Confirms PSL Return, Clears Doubts Over Availability

Ronaldo’s closest competitor in historical earnings remains Floyd Mayweather, who earned $300 million in 2015 and $275 million in 2018.

Top 10 Highest-Paid Athletes in 2025

(All figures in USD and approximate GBP)