Holiday Ayo - Becoming an athlete not only increases popularity, but can also make someone one of the richest people in the world. 

Al Nassr star, Cristiano Ronaldo, leads Forbes magazine's list of the richest athletes in 2024. Ronaldo is quite far ahead of Lionel Messi and athletes from other branches. 

Even though he is 40 years old, Ronaldo is still playing at a high level with Al Nassr. He is the focus of the front line of the team competing in the Saudi Arabian League and the Asian Elite Champions League. 

CR7's presence in the field is in line with income that continues to explode. Forbes stated that the player from Portugal is at the top of the 2024 richest athlete standings with annual income reaching US$260 million or IDR 4.24 trillion.

Rondaldo is projected to earn US$200 million or IDR 3.27 trillion in income from football. Then the remaining US$60 million or Rp. 985 billion is from sponsorship income.

In second place, there is golf athlete from Spain Jon Rahm with total income of US$218 million or IDR 3.57 trillion.

Only in third place is the Argentinian star, Lionel Messi. The Inter Miami player pocketed US$135 million or IDR 2.2 trillion.

Even though it is only half of Ronaldo's annual income, Messi is claimed to have a higher income outside of football with US$70 million or IDR 1.14 trillion.

In fourth place is NBA star LeBron James with total income of US$128.2 million. He is said to be the athlete with the most income outside of sports with a total of US$80 million or IDR 1.3 trillion.

Meanwhile, Esquire magazine, based on Sportico data, released the athlete with the most valuable assets as of 2024. Ronaldo was also named the richest athlete in 2024, but with a larger income.

Ronaldo is said to have earned income of US$424 million or the equivalent of IDR 6.9 trillion last year. Ronaldo is far ahead of Rahm in second place. 

Meanwhile, in the Esquire report, the athlete recorded as having the highest wealth throughout his career was Michael Jordan. 

The basketball legend has assets reaching US$4.6 billion or IDR 7.51 trillion. Even though he decided to retire from the world of professional basketball in 1993, Michael Jordan still earned income from sales of shoes and sportswear bearing his name with sales reaching US$8 billion or IDR 12.9 trillion. 

Forbes list of the richest athletes in 2024 

1. Cristiano Ronaldo: US$260 million 

2. Jon Rahm (Golf): US$218 million

3. Lionel Messi: US$135 million

4. LeBron James (NBA): US$128.2 million

5. Giannis Antetokounmpo (NBA): US$111 million

6. Kylian Mbappe: US$110 million

7. Neymar: US$108 million

8. Karim Benzema: US$106 million

9. Stephen Curry (NBA): US$102 million

10. Lamar Jackson (NFL): US$100.5 million

List of the richest athletes in 2024 according to Sportico

1. Cristiano Ronaldo: US$424 million

2. Jon Rahm (Golf): US$313 million

3. Lionel Messi: US$200 million

4. LeBron James (NBA): US$194 million

5. Kylian Mbappe: US$193 million

6. Neymar: US$187 million

7. Stephen Curry (NBA): US$152 million

8. Giannis Antetokounmpo (NBA): US$136 million

9. Patrick Mahomes (NFL): US$130 million

10. Max Verstappen (F1): US$116 million.