Ronaldo Replaces Messi As Highest Paid Footballer

Cristiano Ronaldo has replaced Lionel Messi as the highest paid footballer in the world.

Gatekeepers News reports that Forbes latest rankings has shown that Ronaldo is set to make $125m (£91.63m) while Messi will earn $110m (£80.63m) for the 2021-2022 campaign.

The increase came from the salary and bonuses the Portuguese forward will be getting after moving back to Manchester United.

According to Forbes, the 36-year-old who moved to Old Trafford with $70m (£51.31m) is set to earn an estimated $55m (£40.31m) from commercial deals, with only three athletes set to earn more from sponsorship than him: Roger Federer ($90m, £65.97m), LeBron James ($65m, £47.64m) and Tiger Woods ($60m, £43.98m).

Messi, who topped 2020 rankings, has fallen to second despite sealing a lucrative move to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer.

Forbes stated that $75m (£50m) out of Messi’s estimated $110m (£80.63m) earnings will come from his salary and bonuses at the Parc des Princes.

However, his club team-mates Neymar and Kylian Mbappe were third and fourth on the list respectively.

Neymar will earn $95m (£69.68m) in the 2021-22 season, while Mbappe who is some way behind him is expected to earn $43m (£31.54m).

Fifth on the list was Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah with expected earnings of $41m (£30.6m), while Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski came sixth with $35m (£25.66m).

A surprising inclusion on the list was former Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta, who appeared seventh with earnings of $35m (£25.66m) which the bulk comes from his salary and bonuses at Japanese club Vissel Kobe.

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba was ranked eighth on the list and he is set to make $34m (£24.92m). Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale became the highest-ranked British player as he appeared ninth with expected earnings of $32m (£23.46m).

Another Real Madrid player and former Chelsea winger Eden Hazard, rounded off the top 10. He is set to earn $29m (£21.26m) in the 2021-22 season.