Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo is the world's highest-paid footballer.
That's according to Forbes who report that Ronaldo has reclaimed the top spot on their rankings as the world's highest-paid footballer ahead of long-term rival Lionel Messi, who made a switch to Paris Saint-Germain this summer amid Barcelona's financial difficulties.
It's claimed that Ronaldo is set to earn $125m [£91m] before taxes this season, with $70m [£51m] coming from salary and bonus for his return to United while Messi will earn $110m [£80m], with the French giants PSG offering him a $75m [£55m] per season salary.
That means Ronaldo earns a staggering $55m [£40m] per year in commercial endorsements away from the pitch.
It's also claimed that the five-time Ballon d'Or winner is the first team-sport athlete in the world to earn over $1 billion earnings before tax, which just highlights the commercial power that the Portuguese star has accumulated across his glittering career.
The news of Ronaldo's sensational return to United sent fans in Manchester scrambling for his iconic number seven shirt, with unprecedented queues at the Old Trafford club shop, but it also had the same effect in the United States, where the Glazers reside.
Forbes report that Ronaldo became the bestselling player on hugely popular American online retailer Fanatics merchandise site within 24 hours of his return to United and he also outsold other top American athletes that have recently switched teams.
Notably, Ronaldo outsold the NFL’s Tom Brady in 2020, the NBA’s LeBron James in 2018 and MLB’s Bryce Harper in 2019, which just proves his household name and brand transcends the Atlantic ocean between America and the United Kingdom.
