World's 5 highest-paid athletes of 2017 - Where are Messi and Ronaldo?

#1 Cristiano Ronaldo – $93 million

While LeBron James was busy breaking records, Cristiano Ronaldo was busy scripting history. The last 12 months have probably been the best in the Real Madrid superstar’s entire career. It all started with winning La Undecima with Los Blancos – their 11^th European title.

Ronaldo then guided Portugal to the Euro 2016 triumph where Seleccao beat France in the final to lift win their first ever major international honour. Not only that, he then beat arch-rival Lionel Messi to win his 4^th Ballon d’Or, while he was also crowned FIFA’s Best Player of 2016.

The Portuguese has since helped Real Madrid win their first La Liga title in 5 years, as they pipped their fierce rivals Barcelona to it, winning it by 3 points. Ronaldo then guided his team to their second successive UEFA Champions League title as they beat Juventus 4-1 in the final with Ronaldo netting two of those goals.

The victory was extra-special as it made Real Madrid the first-team to win UEFA Champions League in consecutive years in its present format. The win also ensured that Ronaldo is the favourite to win the Ballon d’Or once again this year, if he does win that it will tie him with Messi on 5 awards.

While scripting history, Ronaldo also raked in a whooping $93 million – making him the highest-paid athlete in the world, for the second consecutive year.