According to media estimates, Ronaldo’s contract is worth more than 200 million euros ($219.98 million). PSG striker Messi, 35, was next on the list, bringing home a total of $130 million, while clubmate and French national team captain Mbappe, the youngest on the list at age 24, earned $120 million and ranked third. PSG is owned by Qatar Sports Investments.
Los Angeles Lakers player and NBA great LeBron James ($119.5 million) and Mexican boxer Canelo Alvarez ($110 million) round out the top five. Last year also saw the emergence of LIV Golf, a splinter from the PGA Tour that poached some of the best players with huge sums of money, and two of its golfers are in the top 10.
Former world number one Dustin Johnson (sixth with $107 million) had the most success after a controversial move to LIV Golf, not even in the top 50 in 2022, and he was joined by fellow LIV player Phil Mickelson (seventh with $106 million).
Four-time NBA champion Stephen Curry ($100.4 million) and Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns ($89.1 million) are the other two basketball players on the list. Former tennis player Roger Federer ($95.1 million) is the only retired player in the top 10.
Forbes reported that on-field earnings figures include all prize money, salaries and bonuses earned over the past 12 months, while off-field earnings are estimates of sponsorship deals, performance fees, license income and cash receipts from businesses they manage.
As part of his commercial contract, Messi was in Saudi Arabia to promote tourism in that Middle Eastern country. According to numerous reports, the former Barcelona superstar was suspended for two weeks. Argentina’s World Cup-winning captain is banned from training and playing with the team in which Kylian Mbappe plays. The Argentine defender is also unlikely to receive his super-expensive salary from PSG during the suspension.
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According to recent developments, Messi has decided to part ways with the French club after the suspension episode. Popular soccer journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Messi will leave PSG at the end of the current season. There is no longer any doubt about that. Behind the scenes it is now understood that Leo’s father Jorgereported the PSJ’s decision a month ago in connection with the project. That was the last tipping point, Romano confirmed.
