Top earners in sport in 2021: One surpasses Ronaldo and Messi

In the eternal duel with Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo is currently ahead – at least when it comes to annual income. But a man steals the show from the football icons with his whiskey.

Private jet flights, fast cars, scenic vacations. Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo likes to flaunt his wealth on social networks. He can do that too – because the Portuguese is the top earner among football stars in 2021.

Income in 2021: Cristiano Ronaldo surpasses Lionel Messi

According to Forbes magazine, the equivalent of 107 million euros (gross) including advertising income will flow into the account of the 36-year-old in the current season. He outdoes his long-term rival Lionel Messi (94 million), at least financially.

Conor McGregor Highest Earning Sportsman of the Year

In the ranking of the highest-earning athletes, there is still one man in front of the two football icons: MMA fighter Conor McGregor. In addition to sport, the 33-year-old Irish has made his mark with his own whiskey “Proper No. 12 “established a very lucrative second pillar. “I wake up every day with a goal to be the best in sport and in business – and the money follows,” wrote McGregor in a post on Instagram describing the great success of his whiskey.

“Mr. Whiskey ”takes“ only ”22 million US dollars through its sporting achievements – but its advertising income and its noble alcoholic drink catapult the UFC fighter to 180 million US dollars in 2021. Unbelievable.

NFL and NBA the measure of all things

The top ten top earners also include Dak Prescott, Tom Brady (both football), LeBron James and Kevin Durant (both basketball), four stars from the major US leagues, the NFL and NBA, who overall dominate the top 50. Only two women make it among these – and the top earner is tennis superstar Naomi Osaka.

Tennis stars Naomi Osaka and Serene Williams only women in top 50

The Japanese, who is said to have an annual earnings of 60 million US dollars, caused a sensation in May when she withdrew over the dispute over a press boycott at the French Open. Osaka put their mental health above financial and set an example. “I hope that the sizeable amount of money I get as a fine will go to a charity fighting for mental health,” said Osaka after the hosting French tennis federation fined the athlete $ 15,000.

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Serena Williams is another tennis player in the top 50 who does not have a German athlete. After all, Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski is among the world’s top earners. The Pole has an income of the equivalent of 30 million euros – so he does not even get a third of what his famous goal scorer colleagues get. (kk / sid)

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