NEW YORK (AFP) — Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo remained atop Forbes magazine’s list of 100 highest-paid athletes, with Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James moving up to second on a list heavy on NBA players.
The 32-year-old Portugal forward is estimated to have earned a total of $93 million between his football salary of $58 million and $35 million in endorsement income.
It’s the second straight year Ronaldo has topped the list, released Wednesday just days after he spearheaded a 4-1 victory over Juventus that made Real Madrid the first team to retain the UEFA Champions League title.
James, with estimated earnings of $86.2 million, was one of 32 NBA players who made the top 100 – up from 18 last year.
He took over second place from the Argentine footballer Lionel Messi, now third with $80 million.
Swiss tennis great Roger Federer ($64 million) and Golden State Warriors small forward Kevin Durant ($60.6 million) rounded out the top five – just as they did last year.
