Historic financial record in sports: Cristiano Ronaldo's earnings reach a new milestone

Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo of Saudi club Al-Nassr has become the first footballer in history whose total career earnings have officially surpassed the two-billion-dollar mark.

Details: According to the respected financial and business magazine Forbes, the 41-year-old veteran continues to hold the status of the highest-paid player on the planet by a huge margin over his pursuers. The Portuguese forward's total annual income, including his generous club salary and sponsorship revenue, is estimated at £225 million, allowing him to comfortably claim the top spot in the latest financial rankings.

Forbes' ranking of the world's ten highest-paid footballers is as follows:

• Cristiano Ronaldo — £225 million;
• Lionel Messi — £109 million;
• Kylian Mbappé — £75 million;
• Erling Haaland — £64 million;
• Vinícius Júnior — £57 million;
• Lamine Yamal — £41 million;
• Sadio Mané — £40 million;
• Jude Bellingham — £40 million;
• Harry Kane — £31 million;
• Mohamed Salah — £30 million.

It is worth noting that the five-time Ballon d'Or winner has maintained his status as a global marketing and sporting icon for more than two decades, remaining the absolute record-holder for the number of followers across social media worldwide. An unprecedented contract in the Middle East, combined with his own business empire and lifetime endorsement deals, has enabled Ronaldo to set a unique financial record in the annals of professional sport.

Reminder: Is he finished? Horrendous Ronaldo miss into an empty net. VIDEO