Cristiano Ronaldo beats Lionel Messi to become highest-paid footballer in 2023 as staggering total endorsement earnings come to light: Reports

Cristiano Ronaldo ascended to the top of the highest-paid footballers' hierarchy in 2023, surpassing his long-standing rival Lionel Messi. This revelation came to light as Forbes (via ESPN) unveiled the financial capabilities of these iconic athletes.

Ronaldo is not only the highest-paid footballer but also Forbes' number one amongst all athletes. He has amassed a jaw-dropping estimated total income of $260 million in the past 12 months.

The driving force behind this impressive income is Cristiano Ronaldo's lucrative contract with Saudi Arabian giants Al-Nassr. His move from Manchester United to the Middle East was a financial coup, as his contract is reported to be valued at a staggering $200 million.

However, his financial empire extends far beyond the football pitch. Cristiano Ronaldo is said to have a diverse endorsement portfolio that boasts names like Nike, contributing an additional $60 million annually, as per Forbes' estimations.

Lionel Messi closely follows Ronaldo in the financial stakes, securing the second position on the list. The Argentine maestro recently embarked on a new chapter in his career with MLS club Inter Miami and has recorded expected total earnings of $135 million.

Lionel Messi is the first MLS player to grace the top 10 of Forbes' highest-paid athletes list since David Beckham in 2012.

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Players who made the Forbes Top 11 list alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi

Completing the podium is the flamboyant Brazilian forward Neymar, whose move to Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League in August propelled him to the third spot on the list. He is said to have total earnings of $112 million.

Notably, four players from the Saudi Pro League, including Karim Benzema and Sadio Mane, have found their place in Forbes' top 11 earners worldwide. Their collective earnings eclipse more than half of the $995 million collectively amassed by all 11 players on the illustrious rich list.

Kylian Mbappe finds himself in the fourth spot, trailing closely behind his former Paris Saint-Germain teammate Neymar, with a commendable total income of $110 million. The Premier League is not to be left behind, with Manchester City's Erling Haaland emerging as the highest-paid player in the English top flight, surpassing the likes of Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and his own teammate Kevin De Bruyne.

Here is the full list of players (via ESPN):

1. Cristiano Ronaldo ($260m)

2. Lionel Messi ($135m)

3. Neymar ($112m)

4. Kylian Mbappe ($110m)

5. Karim Benzema ($106m)

6. Erling Haaland ($58m)

7. Mohamed Salah ($53m)

8. Sadio Mane ($52m)

9. Kevin De Bruyne ($39m)

10. Harry Kane ($36m)

11. Robert Lewandowski ($34m)