Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly sensationally landed a £173million-a-year deal with Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia that would make him the highest-earning sport.
The 37-year-old’s contract with Manchester United was terminated earlier this month after a turbulent relationship with club bosses emerged, which only worsened when he made a series of controversial statements in a TV interview with Piers Morgan.
And now Ronaldo is said to have agreed a two-and-a-half-year deal with Al Nassr – worth a staggering £173million a year – that will see him play until the age of 40, according to a Spanish newspaper Brand.
Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly agreed a £173million-a-year deal with Saudi club Al Nassr
If he makes the move, Ronaldo’s staggering salary would make him the highest-earning athlete, according to Forbes.
In light of the Ronaldo news, Sportsmail examines the top 10 highest-earning sports assuming the Portuguese superstar moves to Saudi Arabia.
We went by the official Forbes Highest-Paid Athletes 2022 List, which means Kylian Mbappe has no place.
However, after signing a new PSG deal in May, the Frenchman is set to earn £107million a year so he is expected to feature in the 2023 list.
10. Giannis Antetokounmpo – £67.7million a year
Antetokounmpo is the youngest member of that list at 27 and plies his trade for the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Greek-Nigerian basketball player is already one of the most decorated players in NBA history and last year led the Bucks to their first NBA title since 1971.
A film about Antetokounmpo and his family was released in 2022 – earning £67.7million a year.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is the fourth basketball player in the top 10 highest paid players
9. Tom Brady – £70.2million a year
A seven-time Super Bowl winner, Brady is still throwing touchdown passes at the age of 45.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback may regret coming out of retirement – given the Bucs’ performances this season – but he’s still widely regarded as the greatest quarterback of all time – earning £70.2million a year.
Tom Brady (C) is still playing in the NFL after winning the Super Bowl seven times
8. Neymar Jr – £72.8million a year
The Brazilian is the second PSG player on this list after joining the club for a world record £200m in 2017.
He has teared up European football since first joining Barcelona in 2013, scoring 115 goals in 164 PSG games while scoring 75 of 122 for Brazil – Neymar earns £72.8million a year.
Neymar Jr. is the second PSG player in the top 10, proving the club’s financial viability
7. Canelo Alvarez – £75.3million a year
Canelo has won multiple world titles in four different weight classes from light middleweight to light heavyweight.
He has won 58 of his 62 fights with just two defeats, while 39 of his wins have come via KO – the Mexican earns £75.3million a year.
Legendary Mexican boxer Canelo Alvarez is a world champion in four different weight classes
6. Roger Federer – £75.9million a year
The legendary tennis icon announced his retirement in September this year but is still included in this list.
After winning the Wimbledon title eight times, Federer has spent 237 consecutive weeks at world No. 1 during his career – Federer earns £75.9million a year.
Despite announcing his retirement earlier this year, Roger Federer remains in the top 10 for 2022
5. Kevin Durant – £77million a year
Two-time NBA champion Brooklyn Jets No. 7 is another era-defining basketball player on this list.
The former Golden State Warriors player has made the NBA All-Star game 12 times despite being just 34 years old. Durant takes home £77million a year.
Kevin Durant is another basketball player to make the top 10 highest paid athletes list
4. Steph Curry – £77.6million a year
Curry, a point guard for the Golden State Warriors, is another all-time basketball star.
Known as one of the greatest shooters in NBA history, he is said to have changed the sport by encouraging teams and players to have more three-point shots.
Curry is fourth on the list and earns £77.6million a year.
Steph Curry is fourth behind his four-time NBA champion LeBron James
3. LeBron James – £101.4million a year
Basketball legends don’t get much bigger than LeBron James as the 37-year-old has won four NBA titles in his career.
He is the first player ever to amass $1 billion in revenue as an active player in the league.
James is also a partner in Fenway Sports Group, meaning he co-owns several sports teams including Liverpool – earning £101.4million a year.
Legendary basketball player LeBron James is a four-time champion of the NBA in the USA
2. Lionel Messi – £103.4million a year
Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, Lionel Messi has won seven Ballon d’Or titles.
A four-time Champions League winner, Messi has scored 799 goals in 1030 appearances for club and country.
The PSG star earns £103.4million a year which means he currently tops the Forbes list and his salary is dwarfed by his old rival Ronaldo.
Ronaldo would also overtake his great rival Lionel Messi by making the move to Al-Nassr
1 – Cristiano Ronaldo – £172.9million a year
Cristiano Ronaldo is a legendary footballer who has won 34 trophies in his career. He is also the all-time leading international goalscorer with 118 goals.
If he makes the move to Saudi club Al Nassr, he will earn £173million a year.
Ronaldo is currently third on the list of highest paid athletes and earns £83.6million a year meaning he is set to more than double his salary.
If Ronaldo joins Al-Nassr, he will become the highest paid athlete in the sport