Cristiano Ronaldo has become the world's highest-paid athlete for the third year in a row, and Messi earns only half of Ronaldo's income

Portuguese soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is the world's highest-paid athlete for the third year in a row with a total income of $275 million. Recently, the famous financial media "Forbes" announced the 2025 (2024/25 season) global athlete income list, and the 40-year-old Ronaldo ranked first in the world with 275 million US dollars, which is also the fifth time in his career that he has become the world's highest-paid athlete.

Ronaldo's income is a reflection of his excellence on the football pitch and his great success in business

Ronaldo's annual income includes a number of aspects such as salary, bonuses and business endorsements. As a top superstar in football, Ronaldo not only has outstanding football skills, but also has become the object of cooperation among major brands with his huge influence and commercial value. His income reflects not only his excellence on the football field, but also his great success in the business world.

Curry surpassed James to move up to No. 2. Curry, the star of the NBA Golden State Warriors, ranked second in the world with $156 million, and surpassed the "Emperor Zhan" James last year's $128 million, creating a record for the annual income of basketball players. In third and fourth place are former British professional boxer Tyson Fury ($146 million) and American football quarterback Prescott ($137 million).

Messi's total income is only half of Ronaldo's. Ronaldo's old rival, Argentine football superstar Messi, ranks fifth with an annual income of $135 million, and his income is only about half of Ronaldo's, and Ronaldo's commercial value is twice that of Messi.