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Cristiano Ronaldo beats Lionel Messi by £1m as Roger Federer tops Forbes top ten highest paid male athletes list


ROGER FEDERER has become the first tennis player in history to top Forbes’ list of the world’s highest-paid male athletes.

The American lifestyle magazine revealed that the Swiss legend had leapfrogged football legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

The World Number Four’s ascent to top of the rich list for the first time in his career was partly made possible by the fact that the coronavirus pandemic has halted all major sports.

Both Ronaldo and Messi have seen massive salary cuts as the collective gross of wealth across Forbes’ annual list is down nine per cent from 2019.

But not to diminish Federer’s incredible haul that has lifted him from fifth last year to the top.

The 38-year-old has raked in over £5million in prize money alongside £81m from endorsements and appearance fees.

Here’s who else Forbes named as the top-earning sporting superstar of 2020…

1. ROGER FEDERER

 Roger Federer is tennis' only representative in the top ten list

Roger Federer is tennis’ only representative in the top ten listCredit: EPA

Sport: Tennis

Earnings: £86million

FEDERER was the only tennis ace to crack the list of the decade’s highest earners and has now been crowned king of 2020.

The Swiss legend’s endorsement portfolio is unmatched among active athletes, with 13 brands paying to represent him.

He joins Tiger Woods as the only two active athletes to hit $100 million (81m) in a single year from sponsorships alone.

2. CRISTIANO RONALDO

 Cristiano Ronaldo was the top-earning footballer of the year

Cristiano Ronaldo was the top-earning footballer of the yearCredit: AFP

Sport: Football

Earnings: £85million

FINISHING just behind Federer but managing to best Messi for another personal accolade, Ronaldo is the highest-paid footballer of the year.

Despite taking took a £3.5m hit on his wages, the Portuguese’s profile off the pitch is second to none.

The Juventus superstar can command huge endorsement deals and has the highest number of followers on Instagram and Facebook.

SunSport previously reported that Ronaldo is still on course to become only the third active sportsman to earn $1BILLION this season.

3. LIONEL MESSI

 Messi takes the No3 spot but is beaten to the top-earning footballer of 2020 by Ronaldo

Messi takes the No3 spot but is beaten to the top-earning footballer of 2020 by RonaldoCredit: Getty

Sport: Football

Earnings: £84million

MUCH like Federer, Messi was locked in another personal battle of his own this year, going up against Cristiano Ronaldo for the Ballon d’Or once again.

While the Argentine emerged victorious in December for his performances on the pitch, the Barcelona star, who earns close to £2m a week, was beaten to the punch in Forbes’ list as pocketed £84m.

4. NEYMAR

 Neymar's monster PSG wages account for him grabbing a top ten spot

Neymar’s monster PSG wages account for him grabbing a top ten spotCredit: Reuters

Sport: Football

Earnings: £77million

THE money rapidly began to roll in for Neymar in 2013 after his move to Barcelona from Santos.

However, his move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 saw his income skyrocket, with Neymar pocketing £77m alone in 2020 – fourth in the world.

The Brazilian can earn over £400k for a sponsored Instagram post, and the French champs are set to offer him a new £33m-a-year contract to keep him away from Barcelona.

5. LEBRON JAMES

 LeBron James leads the way for NBA stars in the top ten highest earners of 2020

LeBron James leads the way for NBA stars in the top ten highest earners of 2020Credit: EPA

Sport: Basketball

Earnings: £71million

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron takes his rightful spot at the top of Basketball’s elite here.

The Space Jam 2 actor, who also has his own production company called SpringHill Entertainment, earns more from endorsements than salary and raked in over £70m over the past 12 months.

6. STEPH CURRY

 Golden State Warriors ace Stephen Curry finishes runner up in Basketball's wealthiest stars

Golden State Warriors ace Stephen Curry finishes runner up in Basketball’s wealthiest starsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Sport: Basketball

Earnings: £60million

GOLDEN State Warriors shooter Stephen Curry is the second-highest paid player in the NBA.

But alongside his mammoth salary, the six-time NBA All-Star also rakes in endorsements deals from Under Armour and Chase.

7. KEVIN DURANT

 Curry's former teammate Kevin Durant in the third and final NBA star on the list

Curry’s former teammate Kevin Durant in the third and final NBA star on the listCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Sport: Basketball

Earnings: £60million

STEPH Curry’s former Warriors teammate Kevin Durant in next on the list thanks to lucrative deals with Nike, Alaska Airlines and Google.

In 2018, Brooklyn Nets small forward Durant created 35 ventures to help consolidate his multiple business enterprises with Apple, ESPN and YouTube.

8. TIGER WOODS

 Woods broke his 11-year major drought at the Masters in April 2019

Woods broke his 11-year major drought at the Masters in April 2019Credit: Reuters

Sport: Golf

Earnings: £50million

In 2019, Woods ended an 11-year major trophy drought by winning the Masters in April.

The American, who has earned over £98m in tournament winnings alone since he turned professional in 1996, has since followed up his Masters success with lucrative sponsorship deals – and a spot on the top-ten list with earnings of over £50m.

9. KIRK COUSINS

 Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins is the highest-earning NFL player

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins is the highest-earning NFL playerCredit: AP:Associated Press

Sport: American Football

Earnings: £49million

FORMER Washington Redskins signal-caller Cousins signed a £68million three-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings back in 2018.

But the American quarterback became the highest-earning NFL player once again back in March after penning a new £78m three-year contract with a £24m signing bonus.

10. CARSON WENTZ

Sport: American Football

Earnings: £48million

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback rounds off the list just shy of NFL rival Cousins.

Roger Federer challenges tennis players to match his forehand volley skills


Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk


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