<\/p>\n
Cristiano Ronaldo\u2019s new career in Saudi Arabia may not be going to plan.<\/p>\n
But he has at least one reason to smile.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s after being crowned the world\u2019s highest-paid athlete in the last year.<\/p>\n
Forbes has declared Ronaldo top dog when it came to making bank in 2022, The Sun <\/a>reports.<\/p>\n Stream Over 50 Sports Live & On-Demand with Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now ><\/a><\/b><\/i><\/p>\n The magazine combined on-field \u201cprize money, salaries and bonuses\u201d, plus estimated off-field \u201csponsorship deals, appearances fees and memorabilia.\u201d<\/p>\n And veteran forward Ronaldo came out on top against a host of world-class names.<\/p>\n The Portugal legend saw his Manchester United return end in tears with an explosive Piers Morgan interview. He then crashed out of the World Cup.<\/p>\n He ended up having to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr after there were no takers in Europe. However, Ronaldo\u2019s bank account has been left fit to burst in the process.<\/p>\n He took home $A204 million over the past year to top Forbes\u2019 list for the third time in his career.<\/p>\n It\u2019s the first time Ronaldo has been No. 1 since 2017, and it\u2019s also the biggest amount for a footballer in history.<\/p>\n The mind-boggling fee has also seen Ronaldo overtake rival Lionel Messi, who is second with $195m.<\/p>\n The Paris Saint-Germain star is out of contract this summer and linked with a return to Barcelona. But a Middle East move could also be on the cards, and that may see Messi gets his revenge in 2024.<\/p>\n Third place on Forbes\u2019 list also goes to a footballer.<\/p>\n Messi\u2019s PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe earned $180m in the past year, having landed a stunning new deal last summer.<\/p>\n He is just ahead of basketball legend LeBron James ($178m), who is hoping to land another NBA title as his LA Lakers prepare to take on the Golden State Warriors.<\/p>\n Boxer Canelo Alvarez completes the top five with a tasty $165m.<\/p>\n Interestingly, the next two spots go to golfers Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson, with $161m and $159m apiece.<\/p>\n Golden State\u2019s Stephen Curry is eighth with $152m, with tennis legend Roger Federer next with $142m and Phoenix Suns ace Kevin Durant finishing the top 10 with $135m. This article originally appeared on The Sun <\/a>and was reproduced with permission.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n