Real Madrid icon Cristiano Ronaldo becomes world’s richest sports star – ahead of his big Barcelona rival Lionel Messi
Ex-Manchester United hero earned £60.6m as Tiger Woods and Floyd Mayweather Jr are finally dethroned after 16-year reign
CRISTIANO Ronaldo has become the world’s highest-paid sports star with earnings of £60.6million last year.
The Real Madrid ace, 31, rose from third to top Forbes’ sports rich list ahead of footie rival Lionel Messi, who raked in £56million.
The rankings, released last night, mark the first time since 2000 that someone other than golfer Tiger Woods, 40, or boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr, 39, has taken top place. They were 12th and 16th respectively.
Basketball star LeBron James, 31, was third on £53.2million.
And world No1 tennis ace Serena Williams, 34, was the highest-earning female with £15million.
Formula One’s world champion Lewis Hamilton, Northern Ireland golfer Rory McIlroy, Real Madrid’s Wales icon Gareth Bale, Manchester United’s England skipper Wayne Rooney and Davis Cup hero Andy Murray are the Brits in the top 100.
US golf sensation Jordan Spieth is the biggest climber, up to ninth on £36.4m from 85th last year.
England skipper Wayne Rooney has long had one of the top pay-packets in Prem
Baseball is the most represented sport, with 26 names. Basketball has 18, Gridiron 21 and football 12.
Roger Federer, arguably the greatest player ever, and Novak Djokovic, certainly the best now, fly the flag highest for tennis. Swiss legend Federer (£46.8m) is fourth and Serb Djokovic (£38.4m) sixth.
TOP TEN
- Cristiano Ronaldo (football) £60.6million
- Lionel Messi (football) £56.2million
- LeBron James (basketball) £53.2million
- Roger Federer (tennis) £47.8million
- Kevin Durant (basketball) £38.7million
- Novak Djokovic (tennis) £38.4million
- Cam Newton (Am. football) £36.6million
- Phil Mickelson (golf) £36.5million
- Jordan Spieth (golf) £36.4million
- Kobe Bryant (basketball) £34.4million