Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly been named the highest-paid player in the world currently by Forbes.
The Portugal international is one of the four Saudi Pro League players to feature in the Forbes list of richest footballs in the world.
The global media company estimates Ronaldo is paid around $198 million for playing in the Saudi Pro League for Al-Nassr.
Cristiano Ronaldo, 38, earns an additional $59 million and this is aside from his on-field duties for the Saudi Pro side.
The off-field revenue Cristiano Ronaldo earns come from different sources including the recent video appearances to promote Saudi Arabia’s National Day and attending the fight between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou in Riyadh.
Archrival Lionel Messi is in second place on the Forbes list and is way behind Ronaldo, who surpassed him with earnings of $134million.
Bar the former United player, other Saudi-based players to appear in the top 10 include Neymar, Karim Benzema, and Sadio Mane, who are in third, fifth, and eighth respectively.
Messi’s former Barca and PSG teammate Neymar also made the list as the Brazilian earns about $112million edging out Kylian Mbappe who is on $110million.
Al Ittihad’s Karim Benzema, who formerly played with Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid also made the list with $106million.
Erling Haaland, who reportedly idolize Cristiano Ronaldo, is in number 6 on the Forbes list with the record-breaker earning about $58 million. That places the Norwegian striker above Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Al Nassr’s Sadio Mane who earns $53m and $52m, respectively.
Also on the list is Haaland’s Manchester City teammate Kevin De Bruyne, who earns an estimated $39 million in income.
England captain Harry Kane rounds up the top 10 list as the now Bayern Munich striker earns an estimated $36 million in total income.
World’s Highest-Paid Soccer Players 2023
| Player | Estimate |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | $260 million |
| Lionel Messi | $135 million |
| Neymar | $112 million |
| Kylian Mbappe | $110 million |
| Karim Benzema | $106 million |
| Erling Haaland | $58 million |
| Mohamed Salah | $53 million |
| Sadio Mane | $52 million |
| Kevin De Bruyne | $39 million |
| Harry Kane | $36 million |
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro GOIH ComM is a Portuguese international who was born on 5th February, 1985 and captains both the Saudi Arabia club Al Nassr and the Portugal national team.
CR7 as he is fondly called is well-known worldwide and regarded as one of the greatest players of all time.
The Portuguese international so far has won five Ballon d’Or awards and four European Golden Shoes, the most by a European player.
What Is Forbes List?
Forbes, an American business publication established in 1917 by B.C. Forbes, has been under the ownership of Integrated Whale Media Investments, a Hong Kong-based investment group, since 2014.
Steve Forbes serves as chairman and editor-in-chief, while Mike Federle assumes the role of CEO.
It is published on an annual basis, with each issue containing articles that cover finance, industry, investing, and marketing.
Additionally, Forbes provides coverage of pertinent topics including technology, communications, science, politics, and law. Its headquarters are situated in Jersey City, New Jersey.
