Ronaldo tops Forbes’ 2016 list of world’s highest-paid athletes

According to list released by Forbes of the world’s highest-paid athlete for 2016, Cristiano Ronaldo is tops.

Ronaldo is the first footballer to make top the list. 

The Real Madrid and Portugal forward earned $88 million (£60 million)—$56 million (£39 million) in salary and winnings, plus $32 million (£22 million) from endorsements.

Ronaldo scored 51 goals in 50 matches for Real last season, culminating in his penalty at the San Siro in May, securing the Champions League title for the Spanish club.

The list is made up of two footballers, three basketballers, two tennis players, two golfers and one American footballer.

Ronaldo, 31, pips long-term rival Lionel Messi to the top spot, with the Barcelona star’s earnings standing at $81.4 million (£56 million), $6.6 million (£4.5 million) behind Ronaldo.

In 2015, the Portuguese was third in the list behind boxers Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, who earned $300 million (£207 million) and $160 million (£110 million), respectively.

Mayweather’s retirement from the sport has seen the American slip to 16th, netting $44 million (£30 million) in 2016.

The full list:

10. KOBE BEAN BRYANT

The recently retired Black Mamba is bringing home $50 million for his work on and off the court. 

Half of his earnings comes from his player salary while the other $25 million comes from endorsement deals with Nike, Hublot and Panini.

9. JORDAN ALEXANDER SPIETH 

The 22-year-old professional golfer is the youngest athlete on this list, earning an impressive $52.8 million. 

Spieth made $20.8 million in tournament winnings, which includes the $10 million bonus for winning the FedEx Cup. 

The other $32 million comes from his deals with Under Armour, Titliest, Coca-Cola and appearance fees across the globe as the No. 1 golfer.

8. PHILIP ALFRED MICKELSON 

Earning the eighth most on this list by the narrowist of margins is the 45-year-old lefty. Mickelson made $52.9 million, but only $2.9 million of that came by way of winnings. 

Callaway, Barclays, KPMG, Exxon Mobil, Rolex and Amgen make up the other $50 million.

7. CAM NEWTON 

Reigning NFL MVP Cam Newton earned $53.1 million. 

A new contract with signing and option bonuses make up $41.1 million while his apparel line with Belk and deal with Under Armour bring him the other $12 million.

6. NOVAK DJOKOVIC

The newest member of the $100 million club raked in $55.8 million in the past 12 months with $21.8 million from winnings alone. 

The world No.1 earns $34 million from his deals with Uniqlo, Adidas, Head, ANZ, Peugot and Seiko.

5. KEVIN WAYNE DURANT

This summer’s biggest NBA free agent made $56.2 million with $20.2 million from the Oklahoma City Thunder. 

His $36 million in endorsements came from Nike, 2K Sports, American Family Insurance, BBVA, Orange Leaf, Panini, Sonic, Sparkling Ice, Beats and The Players Tribune. 

4. ROGER FEDERER

His $7.8 million in tournament winnings don’t compare to Novak Djokovic’s $21.8 million, but Federer’s endorsement deals more than make up for it. 

The $60 million he’s earned from Nike, Rolex, Mercedes-Benz, Credit Suisse and appearance fees drove the Swiss tennis star to fourth place on this list.

3. LEBRON RAYMONE JAMES

One of the greatest players in the game is also one of the best paid athletes in the world. 

He earned $77.2 million with $23.2 million from his Cleveland Cavaliers contract. 

While King James has dabbled in the film industry with his own production company SpringHill Entertainment and Uninterrupted, the majority of his $54 million non-salary earnings comes from Nike.

2. LIONEL MESSI

The Argentinian is one of the few on this list who actually earned more in salary than endorsements. 

Messi made $53.4 million with Barcelona while earning another $28 million with the likes of Adidas for a total of $81.4 million.

1. CRISTIANO RONALDO

Ronaldo tops Forbes’ 2016 list of world’s highest-paid athletes

The Real Madrid and Portugal forward earned $88 million (£60 million)—$56 million (£39 million) in salary and winnings, plus $32 million (£22 million) from endorsements.

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