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When it comes to breaking records, Cristiano Ronaldo is in a league of his own, both on and off the pitch. Known for his blistering pace, clinical finishing, and relentless drive, the Portuguese superstar has now added another major milestone to his storied legacy. For the third consecutive year, Ronaldo has claimed the No. 1 spot on Forbes’ 2025 list of the world’s highest-paid athletes, reaffirming his dominance far beyond the football field.
Ronaldo Rakes in USD 275 Million
According to Forbes, Ronaldo earned a staggering USD 275 million (approximately ₹2,356 crore) between May 2024 and May 2025. This marks the fifth time in his career that the former Manchester United and Real Madrid icon has topped the list. Now playing for Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, Ronaldo saw a USD 15 million jump in earnings from the previous year, driven largely by his massive off-field endorsements and a social media following that has ballooned to 939 million.
Forbes 2025: A Billion-Dollar Club
The combined earnings of the top 50 athletes reached an all-time high of USD 4.23 billion (₹36,238 crore), up from last year's USD 3.88 billion. Despite this growth, no Indian athletes featured in the top 50, and no women made the cut either—though American tennis star Coco Gauff narrowly missed out with earnings of USD 19.2 million.
Other Big Earners: Messi, Benzema & NBA Giants
Ronaldo's long-time rival Lionel Messi placed fifth with USD 135 million. Karim Benzema followed in eighth. The NBA was well-represented too: LeBron James ranked sixth with USD 133.8 million, while Kevin Durant rounded out the top 10 with USD 101.4 million.
A Legacy Beyond Football
Cristiano Ronaldo continues to prove that greatness isn’t just measured in goals and trophies but in global impact, branding power, and sheer work ethic. From the gym to the boardroom, he remains an unmatched force in world sport and the numbers speak for themselves.
