Ronaldo’s deal with Al Nassr has earned him the number one spot on the list of highest-paid soccer stars. Check out number two to five…

The topic around who is the greatest between Portuguese soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentine Lionel Messi is a never-ending debate among football fans.

Whether fans are comparing career goals, assists, club trophies, Instagram followers or the sought-after Ballon d’Or, there is never a definitive decision on who the G.O.A.T (Greatest Of All Time) is.

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However, when it comes to top-earners on and off the field, French soccer player Kylian Mbappe joins the chat.

While Ronaldo held the third spot in 2022, his recent deal with Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr now places him firmly in the first spot.

Take a look at the top five highest-earning soccer stars in the world…

1. CRISTIANO RONALDO

According to Sporting News, CR7 — real name Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro — is the highest-paid soccer star.

The 37-year-old footballer may have had a rough 2022 after losing his twin son in April, coupled with his second stint with Manchester United which resulted in his departure in November, but his deal with Al Nassr in December has given him plenty to smile about.

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His estimated annual income, after signing with the Arab side, is $200m (about R3.4 billion) while his estimated off-field earnings is $60m (about R1 billion).

Cristiano Ronaldo joins Al-Nassr. Image via Instagram @cristiano.

2. KYLIAN MBAPPE

24-year-old Frenchman Kylian Mbappe may have failed to beat Messi’s Argentina at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar when his country lost in the penalty shootouts, but when it comes to earnings, he is above the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.

According to Forbes, Mbappe rakes in an estimated annual income of $110m (R1.9 billion). Off the field he earns $18m (R312 million).

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France’s forward #10 Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Qatar 2022 World Cup football final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on December 18, 2022. (Photo by Odd ANDERSEN / AFP)

3. LIONEL MESSI

World Cup winner Lionel Messi completed football last month when he captained and carried his home country of Argentina to the final in Qatar, so we doubt he cares about being the third highest-paid soccer player in the world.

The Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) star’s estimated annual income is $65m (R1.1 billion), which is almost the same amount as hs estimated off-field earnings of $55m (957 million).

Argentina captain and World Cup winner Lionel Messi. Image via Instagram: @leomessi.

4. NEYMAR JR.

French side Paris Saint-Germain makes a third appearance on this list with Brazilian soccer star Neymar.

The 30-year-old makes an estimated annual income of $55m (R957 million) and estimated off-field earnings of $32m (R558 million).

Brazilian footballer Neymar Jr. Image via Twitter @ReassureFCB

5. MOHAMED SALAH

The only soccer player in the English Premier League, as well as the only African on the list, Mo Salah, makes an estimated annual income of $35m (R610 million). The Egyptian Liverpool striker’s estimated off-field earnings is $18m (R312 million).

Liverpool and Egypt forward Mohamed Salah was named the African Football Player of the Year in Ghana. Photo: Twitter @MoSalah

SRC: https://www.thesouthafrican.com/