According to “Varzesh3,” the prestigious magazine “Forbes” announced in its annual 2025 report that Cristiano Ronaldo has been the world’s highest-paid athlete for the third consecutive year. The 40-year-old Portuguese superstar earned a total of $275 million in the past 12 months, including $225 million from his contract with Saudi club Al-Nassr and $50 million from off-field commercial activities.

The financial gap between Ronaldo and other athletes is staggering. Basketball star Stephen Curry ranked second with $156 million, while British boxer Tyson Fury came in third with $146 million. Lionel Messi, the Argentine star of Inter Miami, ranked fifth with $135 million.

Forbes reports that only Floyd Mayweather has ever surpassed Ronaldo’s earnings—$300 million in 2015 and $285 million in 2018. The $119 million gap between Ronaldo and the second-highest earner is the largest in the ranking’s history.

The report also highlights Ronaldo’s continued dominance in global advertising and branding. Despite the rise of young stars like Shohei Ohtani in baseball and Stephen Curry in basketball, no one has yet challenged Ronaldo’s commercial influence on a global scale.

This year’s list featured only one representative from the English Premier League: Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, who ranked 34th with $62 million, making him the fourth highest-paid athlete under 25. The absence of names like Mohamed Salah and Kevin De Bruyne reflects shifting financial trends in football.

Meanwhile, the strong presence of players from the Saudi Pro League was notable. Eight players from the league, including Karim Benzema ($104 million), Neymar ($76 million), and Sadio Mané ($54 million), ranked among the top 50. This trend aligns with Saudi Arabia’s strategic efforts to establish itself as a global sports hub, including a potential bid to host the 2034 World Cup.

Despite the rise of young talents, Forbes notes that experienced stars still dominate the market. Five of the eight footballers on the list are over 33. However, emerging stars like Lamine Yamal, Vinicius Junior, and Kylian Mbappé signal a generational shift in the coming years.