Cristiano Ronaldo remains the highest-paid footballer in 2025. According to Forbes, he tops the world’s highest-paid athletes list, earning an estimated $275 million this year—surpassing his closest rival, Stephen Curry, by over $100 million facebook.com+4en.wikipedia.org+4si.com+4.
Here’s how Ronaldo compares with the next highest earners:
- Cristiano Ronaldo – Estimated total earnings: $275 million
- Lionel Messi – Follows in second place (among footballers) with $135 million—well behind Ronaldo givemesport.com+12en.wikipedia.org+12brandvm.com+12
Ronaldo’s 2025 earnings break down to approximately $225 million in salary and bonuses, with another $50 million from endorsements and commercial ventures si.com. This puts him at the very top, not only among footballers but across all sports.
In comparison:
- Messi earns around $60 million from his club contract, plus $75 million in endorsements, totalling $135 million—substantial, but still far below Ronaldo’s total uk.sports.yahoo.com+14si.com+14en.wikipedia.org+14.
💼 Why This Matters
1. Global Brand Dominance
Ronaldo’s huge earnings underscore his market reach—not just as an athlete but as a global brand. His commercial appeal remains unmatched.
2. Salary Record
At Al-Nassr, Ronaldo reportedly earns approximately €200 million (nearly $220 million) per year in salary alone brandvm.com+3en.wikipedia.org+3fr.wikipedia.org+3.
3. Financial Benchmark for Footballers
Ronaldo and Messi are far ahead of any other footballer in earnings. The next footballer after Messi is Karim Benzema, at around $104 million brandvm.com.
📊 2025 Earnings Snapshot – Top Footballers
| Player | Total Earnings (2025) | Components |
|---|---|---|
| Cristiano Ronaldo | $275 million | $225m salary + $50m endorsements |
| Lionel Messi | $135 million | $60m club + $75m endorsements |
| Karim Benzema | $104 million | Primarily salary at Al-Ittihad |
🔍 Is Ronaldo Still the Highest-Earning Footballer?
Yes, with a commanding lead over Messi—Ronaldo’s total income is over twice that of any other player. His 2025 compensation stands unrivaled both on and off the field.
🔮 What the Future Might Hold
With interest in capture value through global marketing and record-breaking contracts, Ronaldo’s position as the highest-paid athlete seems secure for the foreseeable future. Messi remains a powerhouse, but Ronaldo’s arrival in the Saudi Pro League, combining monumental salary with endorsements, pushes him further ahead.
Conclusion
In 2025, Cristiano Ronaldo remains the highest-paid footballer, and indeed the highest-paid athlete in the world, with $275 million in annual earnings. Messi follows as the second-highest-earning footballer, but available data clearly confirms Ronaldo still holds the top spot.
