Cristiano Ronaldo joins NBA icon Michael Jordan & golf legend Tiger Woods among highest-paid athletes of all time – as Lionel Messi fails to reach the top five

Cristiano Ronaldo joined Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods among the highest-paid athletes of all time as Lionel Messi failed to make it to the top five.

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• Ronaldo bags top spot among footballers
• Messi not far behind
• Jordan leads the list over Woods

• Table of Contents

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Ronaldo emerged as the highest-paid footballer of all time with a staggering $1.92 billion (£1.49bn) in earnings throughout his career. His eternal rival, Messi, is a close second with $1.67bn (£1.30bn). David Beckham and Messi's employer stands third with a jaw-dropping figure of $1.5bn (£1.17bn), according to

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  However, the standings go for a toss when athletes from other sports are taken into consideration. Basketball legend, Michael Jordan, takes the top spot with a whopping $3.75bn (£2.92bn) in earnings. Golf maestro Tiger Woods follow him in the second spot with an inflation-adjusted earning of $2.66bn (£2.07bn). Ronaldo, golfer Arnold Palmer ($1.76bn) and LeBron James ($1.7bn) make up the top five with 2022 World Cup winner, Messi, occupying the sixth spot.

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  THE TOP 10 LIST OF HIGHEST PAID ATHLETES OF ALL TIME

  Rank	Athlete	Inflation-Adjusted Earnings	Non-Adjusted Earnings
  1	Michael Jordan	$3.75bn (£2.92bn)	$2.75B (£2.14bn)
  2	Tiger Woods	$2.66bn (£2.07bn)	$1.85B (£1.44bn)
  3	Cristiano Ronaldo	$1.92bn (£1.49bn)	$1.57bn (1.22bn)
  4	Arnold Palmer	$1.76bn (£1.37bn)	$1.36bn (£1.06bn)
  5	LeBron James	$1.7bn (£1.34bn)	$1.36bn (£1.06bn)
  =6	Jack Nicklaus	$1.67bn (£1.30bn)	$890m (£693m)
  =6	Lionel Messi	$1.67bn (£1.30bn)	$1.36bn (£1.06bn)
  8	David Beckham	$1.5bn (£1.17bn)	$1.13bn ($880m)
  9	Roger Federer	$1.49bn (£1.16bn)	$1.17bn (£910m)
  10	Floyd Mayweather	$1.48bn (£1.15bn)	$1.14bn ($890m)

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Ronaldo will hope to prove he is worth the lucrative contract he signed with Al-Nassr by heloing them to Saudi Pro League and AFC Champions League success this season. Meanwhile, Messi and his Inter Miami co-stars will aim to maintain their positive start to the MLS campaign and go on to claim more trophies with the Florida club.