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Cristiano Ronaldo Is Once Again Football's Highest Paid Star

Cristiano Ronaldo Is Once Again Football's Highest Paid Star

Ronaldo has overtaken long time rival Lionel Messi as the best paid footballer in the world, following both players moving this summer.

Cristiano Ronaldo has moved back ahead of Lionel Messi on the list of highest paid footballers, after Messi's move to PSG from Barcelona decreased his earnings.

Ronaldo and Messi are so inexorably linked that it was almost inevitable the Portugal forward would end up returning to Manchester United just weeks after the Argentina star left Barca.

In the early days of their moves, things are certainly going better for Ronaldo right now, who has scored four goals in just three games, whilst Messi refused to shake Mauricio Pochettino's hand after being subbed off at the weekend and is now injured.

A further blow to the six time Ballon d'Or winner has come to his wallet, although don't worry too much he's still probably on a hell of a lot more than everyone reading this article combined.

According to Forbes latest list of the highest paid footballers, the 34-year-old has slipped behind his rival, following his move from La Liga to Ligue 1.

10. Eden Hazard - £21 million-a-year

9. Gareth Bale - £23.5 million

Bale and Hazard are the only two Real players on the list. Image: PA Images
Bale and Hazard are the only two Real players on the list. Image: PA Images

8. Paul Pogba - £25 million

7. Andres Iniesta - £26 million

=. Robert Lewandowski - £26 million

5. Mohamed Salah - £30 million

4. Kylian Mbappe - £31.5 million

Could Mbappe be the one to break the Ronaldo-Messi duopoly? Image: PA Images
Could Mbappe be the one to break the Ronaldo-Messi duopoly? Image: PA Images

3. Neymar - £69.5 million

2. Lionel Messi - £80.5 million

1. Cristiano Ronaldo - £91.5 million

Ronaldo is back to number one on the list. Image: PA Images
Ronaldo is back to number one on the list. Image: PA Images

Messi actually gets paid more in weekly salary than his rival, taking home £54.94 million-per-year from his employers but makes 'only' £25.6 million everytime the earth goes round the sun on endorsements.

Ronaldo on the other hand picks up £51.25 million from Manchester United but is getting a further £40 million from sponsors and advertisers.

The Copa America 2020 winner was due to earn around £70 million-a-year had he stayed at Barcelona this summer, and then he'd once again had been ahead of his rival on the list.

Both men have ended up earning less than they did last year, as a result of their moves, but it's not like anyone is going to be feeling sorry for them.

With Kylian Mbappe able to leave for free from PSG next summer, there's a chance the France forward could overtake both men in the salary stakes, should he move to Real Madrid.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Football, Premier League, Ligue 1, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi