Forward of the national team of Portugal and Saudi Arabia's Al-Nassr Cristiano Ronaldo became the highest paid footballer in the world according to Forbes. According to the publication, the 38-year-old Portuguese earned $260 million dollars.
It is noted that only $60 million of this sum is income related to sports activities. Ronaldo earned the remaining $200 million dollars from advertising contracts.
Argentina and Inter Miami striker Lionel Messi became the second in the ranking of the highest paid footballers in the world - $135 million (salary - $65 million). Winger of the Brazilian national team and Saudi Al-Hilal Neymar rounds out the top three with $112 million dollars.
Ronaldo also took first place in the ranking of the highest-paid footballers over the past ten years. The total earnings of the Portuguese forward amounted to $961 million dollars.
Earlier it became known that Cristiano faces 99 lashes for violating the laws of Iran in case he returns to the Asian country.