Ronaldo's income comes from his contract with Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, where he receives one of the largest guaranteed sports salaries ever reported. He also earns money from long term deals with brands such as Nike, Herbalife, and CR7, his own consumer and fashion brand. His off field earnings from endorsements and business ventures are among the highest in the history of professional sports.
How the Rankings Are Calculated
The Forbes ranking measures pretax earnings from salary, bonuses, and endorsements over a specific period, using data from contracts, public filings, interviews, and agent estimates. The list includes athletes from team sports, individual sports, and combat sports, comparing total income before taxes and agent fees.
The methodology counts money from on field contracts and off field deals with companies, excluding investment income that is not tied to the athlete's name or performance. Forbes updates the list annually, and the figures are based on the most recent completed period with verified contracts and reported sponsorship deals.
Top Athletes and Income Breakdown
After Ronaldo, the list features other top earners such as Lionel Messi, who continues to earn hundreds of millions of dollars from his salary and global brand partnerships. Other high earners include athletes from basketball, football, and mixed martial arts, with many relying on large guaranteed contracts and long term endorsement deals with major brands.
For deeper detail on the income breakdown, contracts, and business structure behind the top earners, you can review the full Forbes ranking and supporting data on their official site. You can also read more about the financial impact of Saudi sports contracts and athlete earnings on the Forbes page that covers the highest paid athletes list.
Key Income Sources for Top Athletes
Most top earners rely on a mix of guaranteed sports salary, performance bonuses, and long term endorsement contracts with global brands. Many also earn from their own businesses, appearances, and media deals, which are included in the total earnings reported by Forbes.
Endorsement and Business Revenue
Endorsement deals with companies like Nike, Adidas, and other global brands make up a large share of the top earners' income. Some athletes also build consumer brands, fashion lines, and investment vehicles that generate additional revenue beyond their sports contracts.
Salary and Contract Structures
Guaranteed salaries, signing bonuses, and performance based pay are the main components of on field earnings. In some leagues, athletes receive large upfront payments or long term contracts that guarantee income over several years, which boosts their total reported earnings.
Public Data and Verification
Forbes uses public contracts, SEC filings where applicable, interviews with agents, and financial disclosures to verify earnings. The rankings are based on the most recent available data and are updated to reflect new contracts and sponsorship deals reported during the period.