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Cristiano Ronaldo set to overtake Lionel Messi as highest-paid footballer this season
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Cristiano Ronaldo set to overtake Lionel Messi as highest-paid footballer this season

By Jason Diego / September 22, 2021

Following his move back to Manchester United, the Portuguese superstar is forecast to earn $125 million before taxes this season — with $70 million coming from his salary and bonuses alone.

Messi, meanwhile, is set to earn $110 million in the 2021-22 season, making him the second-highest earner in the game.

The 34-year-old joined Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona this year and is anticipated to earn more than Ronaldo in terms of salary — $75 million.

But Ronaldo — who is the most popular athlete on social media with more than 500 million followers across Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, according to Forbes — brings in $55 million in endorsements compared to Messi’s $35 million.

Messi’s PSG teammates Neymar and Kylian Mbappe sit third and fourth on the list, with the duo expected to earn $95 million and $43 million respectively.

Neymar, who recently signed a four-year extension, is expected to earn more than Ronaldo in terms of on-field earnings ($75 million) but has nowhere near the same pulling power when it comes to endorsements, forecast to bring in $20 million.

Overall, the Parisian side owns three of the top five highest-earning players on the planet, as it looks to assemble a team capable of winning the coveted Champions League trophy for the first time.

Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah makes up the top five, with the Egyptian expected to earn $41 million this season.

Forbes compiles its list by speaking to clubs, sponsors, player agents and financial experts and estimates the top 10 earners will collect pretax earnings of $585 million this season, an increase on last year’s haul of $570 million.

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