Ronaldo and Riyadh s successful contract renewal stagnates, with $275 million still topped the list for three consecutive years

Ronaldo once again topped Forbes' highest-paid athlete list

Recently, Forbes magazine released its annual global athlete income report, Ronaldo ranked first for three consecutive years and ranked first for five times in his career. Ronaldo currently plays for the Riyadh Victory Club in the Saudi Professional League, and his revenue is estimated to be $275 million (£207 million) during the assessment period. Forbes said Ronaldo's revenue on the court was $225 million, plus $50 million in business revenue, and his total revenue in the past 12 months reached $275 million, second only to boxer Floyd Mayweather, who made $300 million and $285 million in 2015 and 2018, respectively.

ranked second with Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry, who became the first NBA player to reach 4,000 career three-pointers in March, with a revenue of $156 million) Heavyweight boxer Tyson Fury ($146 million) ranked third. Messi fell from third place to fifth with $135 million, slightly higher than Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James. Messi, 37, has made 10 goals and contributed 2 assists

This time, the 40-year-old Portuguese Ronaldo has expanded his lead on the list of the highest-paid athletes. It is estimated that he has made $119 million more in the past 12 months than any other athlete. Ronaldo won 39 appearances for Riyadh this year and scored 33 goals and contributed 4 assists. According to Argentine media, the renewal of Ronaldo's victory with Riyadh has been suspended. Ronaldo did not help the team win a championship trophy during the two years of his victory in Riyadh. Because the club's performance this season has not met the club's requirements, the club is also disappointed with Ronaldo's performance. In addition, Ronaldo has been in Saudi Arabia for more than two years and will lose tax relief benefits, which has also become the main reason for the stagnation of Ronaldo's victory with Riyadh. Currently, the club has only 45 days left in the contract with Ronaldo, and the club has also chosen to suspend the contract renewal negotiations.

In the Forbes list, Haaland ranked 34th with a revenue of $62 million. Royal star Mbappe ranked 16th with $90 million, while Vinicius ranked 46th with $55 million. Benzema, who is also in the Saudi League, has a revenue of US$104 million, and Benzema has handed over 23 goals and 9 assists this season. Ronaldo's teammate Mane earned $54 million.

The 10 highest-paid athletes in the world in 2025 All £ numbers are approximate m units

1. Cristiano Ronaldo, Football: $275m (£206.6m)

2. Stephen Curry, Basketball: $156m (£117.2m)

3. Tyson Fury, Boxing: $146m (£109.7m)

4. Dark Prescott, American football: $137m (£103m)

5. Lionel Messi (Lionel) Messi, Football: $135m (£101.4m)

6. LeBron James, Basketball: $133.8m (£105.5m)

7. Juan Soto, Baseball: $114m (£85.7m)

8. Karim Benzema, Football: $104m (£78.2m)

9. Shohei Ohtani, Baseball: $102.5m (£77m)

10. Kevin Durant, Basketball: $101.4m (£76.2m)

What do you think, the stagnation of this contract renewal?