Weeks after the announcement of what was hitherto the bombshell of the summer, the signing of Leo Messi for Paris Saint-Germain, Cristiano Ronaldo 'boycotted' the movement returning to Manchester United and monopolizing all the spotlights. With his return to Old Trafford, the Portuguese star's shirt became the best-selling in history after the signing of a player by a team, as reported by the shirt sales company Fanatic.
This change of club of the most popular athlete in the world (he has more than 500 million followers on social networks) caused euphoria in fans around the world. But not only has he surpassed everyone when it comes to influence, he has also his transfer has also made him the highest paid footballer in the world, according to the ranking of Forbes.
Ronaldo will win this season almost 107 million euros gross, including a salary close to 60 million and more than 40 million earnings with personal sponsorships and partnerships with brands such as Nike, Herbalife or the CR7 brand, which has perfumes, clothing, hotels and gyms, among others. Only three athletes have more commercial earnings: the tennis player Roger Federer (Approximately 77 million), the basketball player Lebron James (55.5 million) and the golfer Tiger Woods (51 million).
With this he has managed to overcome Leo Messi, his greatest rival throughout his career. The Argentine, after his signing for Paris Saint-Germain, has gone on to earn about 94 million euros gross, with a salary of 64 million, but with lower commercial profits. The ex of the Barcelona is sponsored by companies like Adidas, Pepsi or Budweiser.
The next two highest paid footballers also belong to the Parisian team. The podium is completed by the Brazilian Neymar, who at 29 and after his renewal with the French club earns 81 million euros, despite having the same salary as his teammate Messi. In fourth place is Kylian Mbappé, very far from the figures of the Brazilian and the Argentine.
The French footballer, who ends his contract next year and everything indicates that he will end up at Real Madrid, which will make him take an economic leap by becoming the great star of the white club, receives about 37 million euros. His salary in Paris is 'only' 24 million, 37.5% of what his colleagues receive.
Iniesta
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Vissel Kobe
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- Spain
The egyptian striker Mohamed Salah completes the top-5, with earnings of 35 million euros, very close to the figures of its predecessor in the list. The Spanish Andres Iniesta, at 37, he sneaks into the top-10 as the only player on a non-European team on the list. The 'Magician of Fuentealbilla' receives almost 30 million euros in Vissel Kobe, the same as Lewandowski earns as a Bayern player.
Paul pogba, who like his compatriot Kylian Mbappé is in his last year of contract, receives 29 million euros gross per year. The list is completed by two Real Madrid players: Gareth Bale (27.3 million) and Eden Hazard (24.7 million), who receives the same salary as the Welshman, but whose business income is half that of his partner.