Cristiano Ronaldo surpasses Lionel Messi with $108m to become world's richest footballer

Juventus superstar Cristia Ronaldo has achieved immense success on field for more than a decade. Portuguese international has w emerged as highest-earning male football star in world, beating likes of Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) superstar Neymar Jr. 

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Who is richest football player? Football stars suffer due to pay cut

According to Forbes, football stars have suffered financially due to coronavirus pandemic and lockdown that followed. Many teams have forced ir players to accept a pay cut considering detrimental impact on ir revenue. Forbes report reveals that gross wealth of all superstars in list has gone down by 9% in comparison with 2019 list.

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Who is richest football player? Cristia Ronaldo tops list 

Cristia Ronaldo too had agreed to a pay cut at Juventus to help club deal with financial losses. But that hasn't toppled his position as highest-earning football star in world. Tennis ace Roger Federer is highest-earning player in overall list of athletes encompassing all sports, while NBA superstars like Steph Curry and LeBron James also make it to list alongside five-time Ballon d'Or winner. 

Lionel Messi occupies second spot, Cristia Ronaldo salary details

Cristia Ronaldo earned a reported amount of €97 million ($107 million), which can be classified as €54 million ($60 million) in salary that he receives from Juventus and €42 million ($46 million) from various brand endorsements. Juventus superstar is followed by his arch-rival Lionel Messi. Argentina international pocketed €93 million ($103 million), of which €64 million ($71 million) was earned through his Barcelona salary, while he racked up €28 million ($31 million) in brand endorsements. 

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Neymar makes it top three 

PSG superstar Neymar Jr makes it to top three with €85 million ($94 million) in earnings. Brazilian earned a staggering €63 million ($70 million) through his PSG contract, while also pocketed €22 million ($24 million) by endorsing various brands. Neymar is most expensive football star of all time, courtesy of his €222 million ($246 million) move to French capital in 2017.

likes of Mohamed Salah and Kylian Mbappe also make it to list. While Salah earned €31 million ($34 million) last year, PSG youngster Mbappe made €30 million ($33 million) during that period. 

Also Read | Cristia Ronaldo reveals admiration for Lionel Messi, states benefit of healthy rivalry