As the never-ending debate rages on who between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo is the best footballer in the world; the former takes the crown for the highest paid athlete in 2019. The World’s 100 Highest-Paid athletes annual ranking released by Forbes puts the salary of the Barcelona FC player earnings at $127 million from June 2018 to June 2019-that’s including salaries, endorsements and prize money.
The second highest athlete on this list is also a footballer. Cristiano Ronaldo combined earnings from salary and endorsements totaled to $109 million. Boxer Floyd Mayweather, who was the highest paid athlete in 2018, does not appear in the top ten highest earners.
Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini Endorsements in 2019
The all rounded player endorsements total to $35 million. Here are the brands that have propelled the 31-year-old player to the highest paid athlete in the world.
Adidas
Adidas history with the Messi started in 2006. The Argentinian national went on to sign a lifetime sponsorship deal with Adidas in 2017.
Huawei
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is said to have been paid a staggering $6 million by Chinese company Huawei to become their brand ambassador in 2016.
Other brands that are in multi-millions worth of deals with the player include: Gillette, Turkish Airlines, Tata Motors, Pepsi, Mastercard, Hawkers and Expo 2020 Dubai UAE.
Messi Buyout Clause
His contract with Barcelona runs until 2021. In the most recent contract he penned in 2017, the player received a signing bonus of $59.6million (£45m) with his buyout clause at €700m (£603m) reported Forbes.
Cristiano Ronaldo Endorsements in 2019
The stylish Juventus forward is the world most popular athlete and some quarters believe he is the best player in the world. His total earnings in sponsorship alone is a staggering $44 million, almost $9 million more than his rival Messi.
Nike
Cristiano main sponsor is Nike.
Armani
His physique and good looks got him a deal with Emporio Armani to model men’s underwear and Jeans.
Castrol
The star has been a brand ambassador of Castrol since 2009.
Other brands the player endorses:
Tag Heuer, Coca Cola, KFC, video games maker Konami and airline Emirates.
Cristiano’s businesses
Some of the Juventus player owned businesses include two hotels, underwear, CR7 blankets, facial fitness devices and shampoo.
Top Ten Highest Athletes In The World Via Forbes
|
Rank |
Athlete |
Sport |
Salary/Winnings ($mil) | Endorsements ($mil) | Total Earnings ($mil) |
| 1 | Lionel Messi | Soccer | 92 | 35 | 127 |
| 2 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Soccer | 65 | 44 | 109 |
| 3 | Neymar | Soccer | 75 | 30 | 105 |
| 4 | Canelo Alvarez | Boxing | 92 | 2 | 94 |
| 5 | Roger Federer | Tennis | 7.4 | 86 | 93.4 |
| 6 | Russell Wilson | Football | 80.5 | 9 | 89.5 |
| 7 | Aaron Rodgers | Football | 80.3 | 9 | 89.3 |
| 8 | LeBron James | Basketball | 36 | 53 | 89 |
| 9 | Stephen Curry | Basketball | 37.8 | 42 | 79.8 |
| 10 | Kevin Durant | Basketball | 30.4 | 35 | 65.4 |
