Lahore (Sports Desk): Portuguese football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has made history off the pitch as well, becoming the first player in football history to reach multi-billionaire status in terms of wealth and earnings.
According to American magazine Forbes, the 41-year-old Ronaldo earned approximately £225 million over the past year. Saudi football club Al-Nassr pays him around £488,000 per day, while he earned an additional £42 million through endorsements and business activities.
Argentine star Lionel Messi ranks second on Forbes' list of the world's highest-paid footballers, with annual earnings of approximately £109 million.
French football star Kylian Mbappé ranks third with earnings of £75 million, while Manchester City's Erling Haaland is fourth and Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior is fifth. Spanish teenage star Lamine Yamal secured sixth place on the list.
According to the report, Ronaldo and Messi have occupied the top two positions on the list 12 times over the past 13 years, reflecting their sustained financial success and global popularity.