Ronaldo beats Messi to become world's highest-paid athlete in 2023

Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo has topped the list of best-paid athletes in the world after his move to Saudi Arabia.

According to Forbes via Guinness World Records, the 38-year-old is now the highest-paid athlete in the world for the first time since 2017.

It has seen the Portugal international earn the official Guinness World Record title for the tag.

And it was no doubt aided by his money-spinning move to Saudi Arabia after joining Al Nassr in December.

After his contract at Manchester United was ripped up, leaving Europe quickly became the striker's only option as Saudi Arabia launched an audacious attempt to sign him.

They succeeded as well, signing Ronaldo to a whopping contract worth £57million a year - more than double his pay packet at Old Trafford.

It helped him earn £107.5m in the 12 months leading up to May 1 2023.

And what might please Ronaldo more is the fact that he has pinched the title off Lionel Messi, who held the 2022 GWR.

Last year, the Argentine earned £103m, though he might have had the last laugh after winning the World Cup to complete his trophy cabinet.

What is particularly striking is that most of Ronaldo's earnings came from off-the-pitch ventures.

The former United star landed £35m from football-related activities while £68.5m came from his various businesses and sponsorships.

Ronaldo has a lifetime contract with Nike while his CR7-branded merchandise also makes him a pretty penny.

The veteran star has been something of a trailblazer for footballers in the Middle East.

The Saudi Pro League are making aggressive moves to prise some of Europe's top stars away from the big leagues.

This summer alone, there have been some huge moves including Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante and Kalidou Koulibaly.

But as well as players in the latter days of their careers, others in their prime have been targeted.

Ruben Neves, Jota and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic have also swapped life in Europe for the Gulf State.

And further transfers are in the pipeline, including Riyad Mahrez, Fabinho and Jordan Henderson.