Ronaldo Tops Forbes List for Sixth Time Running
Cristiano Ronaldo has once again proven his financial dominance by topping Forbes list of highest paid footballers for the 2025–26 season worldwide.
It marks the sixth time in the last ten years that the Portuguese forward has claimed the top position among the wealthiest athletes in sports.
Bloomberg recently confirmed Ronaldo as footballs first billionaire, and now he leads Forbes rankings with total annual earnings estimated at 280 million dollars.
The 40 year old Al Nassr striker earns more than double Lionel Messi, who occupies second place with 130 million dollars this season.
Ronaldo earns 230 million dollars on the field, thanks to his renewed contract with Al Nassr and several performance related incentives.
His commercial partnerships with Nike, Binance, and Herbalife contribute an additional 50 million dollars to his already record breaking annual income.
During a recent interview with Portugal’s Canal 11, Ronaldo said he still feels capable of contributing for both club and country.
The earnings of Messi are driven by his strong endorsement portfolio in the United States, where he plays for Major League Soccer club Inter Miami.
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Karim Benzema ranks third with 104 million dollars, boosted by his final year at Saudi club Al Ittihad before expected retirement.
Real Madrids Kylian Mbappe follows in fourth position with 95 million dollars, while Manchester Citys Erling Haaland stands fifth with 80 million.
Saudi Arabia still influences footballs financial scene through Ronaldo, Benzema, and Sadio Mane, though fewer players represent the league this year.
La Liga dominates the rankings with Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, and 18 year old Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal featuring prominently.
Yamal becomes the youngest player ever to appear on the Forbes list, earning 43 million dollars through club salary and endorsements combined.
According to Forbes, the top ten players collectively earned 945 million dollars, reflecting a slight dip from last years combined total.
Half of the listed players are under 30, marking a generational shift in global football wealth and influence across major leagues worldwide.
At 40, Ronaldo continues to defy time, remaining footballs most dominant and financially powerful figure even as a new generation rises.
