Real Madrid superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo has once more beaten Barcelona rival, Lionel Messi on the money hierarchy to emerge top of Forbes’ list of the world’s highest paid athletes for the first time.
The Real Madrid star became the first footballer to do so after raking in a whopping £60 million in 2015.
The 31-year-old Portuguese football star earned £38.4 million from salary and £21.6 million from endorsements to take him to the number one spot.
Mirror UK reports that the retirement of American boxer, Floyd Mayweather left a vacancy at the top for the Portuguese sportsman to fill. Earlier this year, Ronaldo had been named highest earning footballer by Forbes, beating Messi to second
The three-time FIFA player of the year is described as a ‘marketing juggernaut’ and has a massive social media presence with 214.5 million followers across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Between June 1, 2015 and June 1, 2016, Ronald generated £120 million in advertising with social media posts for brands that sponsor him like Nike, Tag Heuer, and Herbalife.
Ronaldo’s other business dealings include a line of suits, cologne, shirts, suits, underwear and even his own hotel.
Barcelona star Lionel Messi is second in the list after earning £55.9 million, followed by US basketball star LeBron James in third on £53 million.
In fourth is Roger Federer on £46.5 million followed by US basketball star Kevin Durant on £38.6 million in fifth.
In total, the top 100 athletes earned a total £2.1 billion, a slight decrease on the £2.2 billion earned last year boosted by the £316 million earned by Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.
The highest earning Brit is Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton at 11 who earned £31.6 million.
Real Madrid star, Gareth Bale is in 25th with £24.6 million and Wayne Rooney is 49th with £17.9 million.
Andy Murray was 74th having pulled in £15.8 million.
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