Ronaldo rises above Messi in the financial game

With $260 million earned in 2024, Cristiano Ronaldo became the highest-paid athlete in the world. His record-setting year includes salary, bonuses, and endorsements, mostly thanks to his role as the face of Al-Nassr and his still-strong presence in the market. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi, now with Inter Miami, generated $135 million—placing him third on the list, behind Steph Curry.

This recent milestone pushes Ronaldo’s career total to $2.23 billion when adjusted for inflation, putting him in third place all-time behind Michael Jordan ($4.15B) and Tiger Woods ($2.79B). Notably, Ronaldo now leads all soccer players in cumulative earnings, outpacing global legends like David Beckham, Neymar, and Messi himself.

Jordan and Woods: untouchable legacies

Despite retiring over two decades ago, Michael Jordan continues to top the charts, largely due to his lucrative partnership with Nike. The Jordan Brand generated $7 billion in revenue last year alone, a figure unmatched in sports branding. His strategic investments, including a majority stake sale of the Charlotte Hornets, further extended his financial dominance.

Tiger Woods, despite a limited competitive schedule in recent years, still brings in over $60 million annually, showing that career longevity and off-course deals are key to financial supremacy in golf.

Other major earners include LeBron James ($1.88B), Roger Federer, Floyd Mayweather, and Tom Brady, with the latter now earning more as a broadcaster and entrepreneur than he did on the field.

Cristiano Ronaldo, through talent, marketability, and consistency, has transcended football to become a titan of the sports business world. And in this race of giants, he continues to sprint ahead—this time, financially.