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Cristiano Ronaldo Tops Forbes List of Highest-Paid Athletes at $300 Million
Cristiano Ronaldo earned an estimated $300 million over the past 12 months, leading the Forbes ranking of the world's ten highest-paid athletes. The group collectively earned $1.4 billion, with $902 million from on-field sources and $513 million from endorsements and business ventures.
May 31, 11:30 AM·1m read1 source
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Cristiano Ronaldo earned an estimated $300 million in the 12 months ending in 2026, according to Forbes. The total includes $235 million from his contract with Al-Nassr and $65 million from endorsements and other business activities. The figure matches the highest single-year total Forbes has recorded since it began the ranking in 1990. Ronaldo, 41, has now led the list six times.
Other athletes set sport-specific records Lewis Hamilton collected an estimated $100 million, exceeding the previous Formula 1 record of $82 million he set in 2021. Shohei Ohtani earned $127.6 million, reclaiming the top MLB spot after Juan Soto's $114 million in 2025.
Canelo Álvarez recorded $170 million, Lionel Messi $140 million, and LeBron James $137.8 million. The ten athletes on the list each earned at least $100 million for the third consecutive year.
Off-field earnings and age trends Ohtani generated an estimated $125 million from endorsements, the highest off-field total among active athletes tracked by Forbes. The average age of the top ten athletes reached 37, the highest in the ranking's history.
Ronaldo signed a new two-year contract with Al-Nassr in June 2025. Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund stated in April 2026 that it would stop funding LIV Golf after the current season.
