Cristiano Ronaldo Tops 2023 Forbes List Of Highest-Paid Athletes Ahead Of Lionel Messi

The top three highest-paid athletes in world sport over the past 12 months were all soccer players, according to the 2023 list published by Forbes.

Cristiano Ronaldo's mega-money transfer to Saudi Arabia with Al Nassr helped him make a reported $136 million.

Of that $136m, $90m came from off-field income, including brand partnerships with the likes of Binance and LiveScore.

Second and third on the list are Paris Saint-Germain forwards Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe.

Messi is said to have earned $130m - more than $350,000 per day - over the last year.

His sponsors, such as Adidas, Budweiser and PepsiCo, will have been delighted by Messi's magical performance in leading Argentina to glory at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Messi is also an ambassador for the tourist board of Saudi Arabia.

Lionel Messi (left) and Cristiano Ronaldo pictured embracing during a friendly game between PSG and a Saudi Pro League all-star XI in January 2023

IMAGO/Power Sport Images/Stringer

Mbappe, who won the Golden Boot at the World Cup where he was a losing finalist with France, made $120m in the last 12 months.

The 24-year-old made more than Messi and Ronaldo in terms of his on-field earnings, having received a huge bonus for extending his contract with PSG amid intense interest from Real Madrid.

Mbappe had only been 35th on the list of highest-paid athletes compiled by Forbes in 2022.

Top 10 Highest-Paid Athletes In World Sport 2023

1. Cristiano Ronaldo - $136million ($46m in on-field earnings)

2. Lionel Messi - $130million ($65m in on-field earnings)

3. Kylian Mbappe - $120million ($100m in on-field earnings)

4. LeBron James - $119.5million ($44.5m in on-field earnings)

5. Canelo Alvarez - $110million ($100m in on-field earnings)

6. Dustin Johnson - $107million ($102m in on-field earnings)

7. Phil Mickelson - $106million ($104m in on-field earnings)

8. Stephen Curry - $100.4million ($48.4m in on-field earnings)

9. Roger Federer - $95.1million ($0.1m in on-field earnings)

10. Kevin Durant - $89.1million ($41.1m in on-field earnings)