Cristiano Ronaldo trumps Lionel Messi in list of Top 10 highest-paid athletes in 2023

Prior to NBA legend LeBron James and a plethora of other well-known athletes, Ronaldo has surpassed Messi to become the highest-paid athlete in the world in 2023. The 2023 Forbes Rich List lists Cristiano Ronaldo as the highest-paid athlete. Following his high-profile transfer to Al-Nassr in January of this year, Ronaldo has now surpassed his longtime rival Lionel Messi and NBA superstar LeBron James to claim the top spot. Ronaldo, 38, became the highest-paid athlete in the world in 2023 after agreeing to a stunning £175 million contract in the Middle East.The five-time Ballon d'Or winner and Portuguese superstar has made 27 appearances for Al-Nassr since his January transfer, tallying 23 goals and seven assists.Reports, however, have also claimed that Ronaldo, currently the world's highest-paid athlete, is ready to call time on his Middle East adventure, with his girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez believed to be 'desperate' for a return to Europe, according to El Nacional.