Cristiano Ronaldo has bagged another Guinness World Records title for the highest yearly earnings by an athlete in 2023.
This was confirmed in a post on GWR’s Twitter verified handle on Thursday, 13th July 2023.
For the first time since 2017 and third time overall, Cristiano Ronaldo has topped Forbes’ list of the world’s highest-paid athletes, earning himself a Guinness World Records title for the highest annual earnings for an athlete in 2023.
Ronaldo takes the title from Messi, who was the highest-paid athlete of 2022 with an estimated $130 million (£103 M). Ronaldo’s record-breaking income is comprised of $46 million (£35 M) in on-field earnings and $90 million (£68.5 M) in off-field earnings.
Ronaldo is expected to have made $136 million (£107.5 M) in the 12 months prior to May 1, 2023, the date by which most sports seasons end.
Ronaldo’s record-breaking income is comprised of $46 million (£35 M) in on-field earnings and $90 million (£68.5 M) in off-field earnings.
Following a somewhat underwhelming second spell at Manchester United, Ronaldo departed in January 2023 to Saudi Arabian team Al-Nassr.
He received a bumper contract which nearly doubled his salary to an estimated $75 million (£57 M).
Rounding out the top three highest paid athletes of 2022-23 are two other football/soccer players: Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé.
Messi came in second with $130 million, split evenly between $65 million in on-field earnings and $65 million in off-field earnings.
In comparison, Mbappé’s on-field earnings of $100 million contribute heavily to his total of $120 million.
Story: Christy Dung