Ronaldo becomes world’s best-paid athlete after Saudi move

Ronaldo, who joined Al Nassr on a deal until 2025 after leaving Manchester United last year, earns $136m a year [File: Ahmed Yosri/Reuters]

Cristiano Ronaldo has become the world’s highest-paid athlete for the first time since 2017 after his move to Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr nearly doubled his annual playing salary, while Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) duo Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe round off the top three, according to Forbes magazine.

Ronaldo, who joined the Saudi football club on a deal until 2025 after leaving Manchester United last year, earned $136m, with Forbes saying his annual playing salary went up to an estimated $75m.