Persepolis vs Al Nassr: No Ronaldo, No Problem

According to Sportico, Cristiano Ronaldo again topped the list of the world’s highest-paid athletes in 2024 with $260 million. No women made the top 100. Soccer, NBA, NFL, golf, and boxing athletes led the top 100 last year, earning $6.2 billion. The number includes $4.8 billion in salaries, prizes, and endorsements.

Coco Gauff was the top-earning female athlete in year with $30.4 million, trailing Minnesota Vikings quarterback Daniel Jones at number 100 with $37.5 million. After moving to the Saudi Pro League in December 2022, Ronaldo’s lucrative deal with Al-Nassr kept him on top for a second year.

Portugal attacker, who turned 40 last week, earned $215 million in salaries and $45 million in sponsorships. Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, who ranks second on the list, earned $153.8 million, more than $100 million less than Ronaldo, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Tyson Fury, who lost to Oleksandr Usyk in December, is third at $147 million. The top five are completed by Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi ($135 million) and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James ($133.2 million), the only NBA player over 40.

Top 100 athletes are from 27 countries and eight sports.

American Gauff, 20, could rise up the list in the future, but other women athletes have.

Forbes named Naomi Osaka the world’s highest-paid female athlete in 2022 after she earned $57.3 million in prize money and endorsements.

Forbes said that 23-times major champion Serena Williams made $41.8 million in 2021. The US Open 2022 marked the American’s retirement.