CRISTIANO RONALDO HAS been named as the world’s highest-paid athlete in the 2016 edition of American business magazine Forbes’ list.
Ronaldo earned $88 million (€77m) up to 1 June 2016, which is made up of $56m (€49) in salary and $32m (€28) in endorsements to put him clear at the top.
It is the first time since 2000 that the number one position has not been filled by boxer Floyd Mayweather — now retired after finishing first last year — or golfer Tiger Woods, who has not won a major for eight years.
Ronaldo’s total put him ahead of fellow footballer Lionel Messi, who picked up $81.4m (€71.4m) over the past 12 months, while basketball star LeBron James was third with $77.2m (€67.6m), up from sixth spot last year.
James earned more than the Barcelona and Real Madrid players in endorsements ($54m (€47)), although his $23.2m (€20m) salary was dwarfed by the wages of Ronaldo and Messi ($53.4m (€46.8m)).
Basketball had three players in the top 10 — more than any other sport — with Kevin Durant ($56.2m (€49.3m) fifth and Kobe Bryant ($50m (€43.8m) in 10th.
Tennis duo Roger Federer ($67.8m (€59.5m)) and Novak Djokovic ($55.8m (€49m)) were fourth and sixth in the list respectively.
Baseball did not have a representative in the top 10, but was the most prolific in the first 100 with 26 players featuring.
The NFL was next on 21, topped by Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton ($53.1m €46.6m)) in seventh spot, with basketball (18) and soccer (12) also faring well.
Golfers Phil Mickelson ($52.9m (€46.4m)) and Jordan Spieth ($52.8m (€46.3m) were eighth and ninth respectively.
Spieth was the biggest mover in the list, surging from number 85 last year after capitalising commercially on his two major wins.
Forbes’ top 10 highest-paid athletes
1. Cristiano Ronaldo — $88m (€77m)
2. Lionel Messi — $81.4m (€71.4m)
3. LeBron James — $77.2m (€66.7m)
4. Roger Federer — $67.8m (€59.5m)
5. Kevin Durant — $56.2m (€49.3)
6. Novak Djokovic — $55.8m (€49m)
7. Cam Newton — $53.1m (€46.6m)
8. Phil Mickelson — $52.9m (€46.4m)
9. Jordan Spieth — $52.8m (€46.3m)
10. Kobe Bryant — $50m (€43.8m)
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Think its blatantly obvious Meylers a better option then Paul Green, Damien Delaney is a better option then McShane and although nobody seems to like Stokesy he showed on Wednesday night hes more abillity then Sammon or Cox but its still a decent squad given whats available just a shame O’Brien and Quinn are out.COYBIG
Stokes will never get in an Ireland squad due to his off field antics… I still dont no how Green and Mc Shane are getting picked over the more talented younger players out there..
Sooner were knocked out the better.Get rid of this oul git and get somebody who’ll play our best team
Meyler is going to see very little first team action this season with Huddelstone and Livermore signing for Hull.
Don’t get why people continually knock Green. The last few times he’s played for us he’s done well, especially against Sweden.
For those giving out about us not playing our best team, what exactly does that look like? Played against Wales, arguably the team that many “fans” would consider our strongest lineup and we couldn’t finish any chances.
I’d trust the manager long before any so called “armchair manager” in relation to picking are best possible team to achieve the best possible result.
#correct&right
Westwood
Coleman. Dunne. O’Shea. Wilson
McCarthy. Whelan
Walters. Hoolahan. Brady
Long