Lionel Messi beats Cristiano Ronaldo to top world's best-paid sports stars

| 11 June 2019

Lionel Messi beats Cristiano Ronaldo to top world's best-paid sports stars

The Barcelona forward earned £99.8million, according to the American business magazine.

Lionel Messi has beaten Cristiano Ronaldo to top spot in Forbes' 2019 list of the world's 100 highest-paid sports stars.

The Barcelona forward earned USD 127million (£99.8million) over the last 12 months, USD 92million in salary and winnings and USD 35million in endorsements, according to the American business magazine.

Juventus striker Ronaldo earned USA 109million (£85.6million), with a third footballer, Brazil's Neymar, third with USD 105million (£82.5million).

The top 100 on this year's highest-paid athletes list spans 10 sports and includes athletes from 25 countries https://t.co/RyaqisUxTx pic.twitter.com/ZUsQqRcYqW

— Forbes (@Forbes) June 11, 2019

Mexican boxer Canelo Alvarez is fourth on the list with USD 94million (£73.8million), with Roger Federer fifth with USD 93.4million (£73.3million).

Serena Williams was the only female athlete in the top 100, in 63rd position with USD 29.2million (£22.9million).

Lewis Hamilton and Anthony Joshua were the highest-placed Britons, sitting at joint 13th on USD 55million (£43.2million).

Serena Williams is the only women in Forbes' list of the top 100 highest-earning athletes — Serena Williams is the only woman in Forbes' list of the top 100 highest-earning athletes (Steven Paston/PA)

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba was the highest-earning Premier League star, his USD 33million (£25.9million) putting him at 44th place.

There was no place in the top 100 for last year's highest earner, Floyd Mayweather.

The top 10 highest-paid athletes in the world in 2019, according to Forbes:

1 Lionel Messi USD 127million (£99.8million)

2 Cristiano Ronaldo USD 109million (£85.6million)

3 Neymar USD 105million (£82.5million)

4 Canelo Alvarez USD 94million (£73.8million)

5 Roger Federer USD 93.4million (£73.3million)

6 Russell Wilson USD 89.5million (£70.3million)

7 Aaron Rodgers USD 89.3million (£70.1million)

8 LeBron James USD 89million (£69.9million)

9 Stephen Curry USD 79.8million (£62.7million)

10 Kevin Durant USD 65.4million (£51.3million)

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