Cristiano Ronaldo has become the first soccer player to reach $1 billion in career earnings, and is only the third active athlete to break through that barrier.
According to Forbes, Cristiano Ronaldo, 35, has earned over $650 million in salary during his 19-year playing career to date, while the other $350 million has come via commercial deals and endorsements.
Tigers Woods and Floyd Mayweather are the other two active athletes who have made over $1 billion during their careers, but Cristiano Ronaldo is the first from the soccer world to do it, although a few other big name stars aren’t far behind him.
In terms of earnings for athletes in 2019, Ronaldo ranked second with $105 million, while Lionel Messi was in third with $104 million and Neymar in fourth with $95.5 million. There are no other soccer players in the top 10.
Cristiano Ronaldo has a huge contract at Juventus after arriving from Real Madrid in the summer of 2018, as the former Manchester United and Sporting Lisbon has a huge endorsement deal with Nike and many others and that is why he has made over $1 billion and counting.
Below is a look at the top 10 highest-paid athletes in 2019, according to Forbes.
1. Roger Federer - $106.3 million
2. Cristiano Ronaldo - $105 million
3. Lionel Messi - $104 million
4. Neymar - $95.5 million
5. LeBron James - $88.2 million
6. Steph Curry - $74.4 million
7. Kevin Durant - $63.9 million
8. Tiger Woods - $62.3 million
9. Kirk Cousins - $60.5 million
10. Carson Wentz - $59.1 million