Portuguese football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has once again secured his place as the world’s highest-paid athlete, earning an astonishing $260 million in 2024, according to Sportico’s latest report.

The 39-year-old’s financial dominance continues to grow, driven largely by his lucrative contract with Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr and multiple high-profile endorsement deals.

Ronaldo’s Record-Breaking Earnings

Ronaldo, who turned 40 last week, remains a formidable force in football and commercial ventures alike.

His contract with Al Nassr alone contributes $215 million to his income, while an additional $45 million comes from endorsements with major brands such as Nike, Herbalife, Binance, and Altice.

His unparalleled global appeal—bolstered by being the first individual to surpass one billion social media followers—ensures that his marketability remains unmatched.

Since making the move to Saudi Arabia in 2022, Ronaldo’s earnings have surged, paving the way for other football stars such as Neymar and Karim Benzema to follow suit.

However, despite their lucrative contracts in the Saudi Pro League, neither Neymar nor Benzema could surpass Ronaldo’s financial prowess.

A List Dominated by Aging Superstars

The Sportico report highlights the increasing financial clout of older athletes, with most of the top 10 earners being in their mid-to-late 30s.

Following Ronaldo on the list is NBA star Stephen Curry, who amassed $153.8 million, followed by heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury ($147 million), Argentine football icon Lionel Messi ($135 million), and basketball legend LeBron James ($133.2 million).

James, who also turned 40 this year, continues to showcase the enduring earning potential of elite athletes, alongside Messi, who remains a major draw despite moving to Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.

The combined earnings of the top 100 highest-paid athletes surged by 14% compared to last year, reaching a staggering $6.2 billion, with $4.8 billion coming from salaries, bonuses, and prize money, while $1.4 billion stemmed from endorsements.

No Women or Indian Athletes on the List

The report also sheds light on the glaring gender disparity in sports earnings. For the second consecutive year, no female athletes made the top 100 list.

The closest contender, American tennis sensation Coco Gauff, earned $30.4 million, falling short of the $37.5 million cutoff. The gender pay gap in sports continues to be a pressing issue, with male athletes consistently commanding higher salaries and endorsement deals.

Similarly, India, despite its deep-rooted sports culture and the immense popularity of cricket, had no representation on the list.

Cricket superstar Virat Kohli reportedly earned $34 million in 2024, which, while impressive, was still below the earnings required to make the top 100. This highlights the disparity between cricket and global sports like football, basketball, and the NFL in terms of earning potential.

Global Trends in Athlete Earnings

The list features athletes from eight different sports and 27 countries, with American athletes dominating the rankings. The NBA had the most representatives with 36 players, followed by the NFL with 22.

Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in global sports, particularly in football and golf, continues to reshape the financial landscape, with Saudi-backed ventures significantly boosting athlete earnings.

As Ronaldo continues to set financial records, the trends in sports earnings indicate a shift towards older, established athletes securing the biggest paychecks, while gender and regional disparities remain key talking points in the evolving world of sports economics.

This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members