Real Madrid Star and three times FIFA player of the year Christiano Ronaldo has beaten boxing heavyweight champion, Floyd Mayweather, to become the highest paid athlete in the world.
Latest statistics show that Ronaldo earned ยฃ61million last year alone beating long-term leader Floyd Mayweather Jnr into first place. Floyd, who fought just once within the last 12 months, earned ยฃ30million.
Real Madrid paid the player ยฃ38.5 last year while Nike, watchmaker Tag Heuer and nutrition supplements group Herbalife paid him amount totaling ยฃ22million from endorsement deals.
In the latest list, Barcelona star Lionel Messi emerged second ยฃ56million in salaries and endorsements.
Ronaldo helped Real Madrid lift the UEFA champions league trophy after his team beat rivals Atletico Madrid.
