Cristiano Ronaldo Is on Track to Replace Floyd Mayweather Jr as the World's Richest Athlete

Cristiano Ronaldo represents the biggest threat to Floyd Mayweather's ego since Manny Pacquiao.

Image via Extend Creative / ESPN

Cristiano Ronaldo represents the biggest threat to Floyd Mayweather's ego since Manny Pacquiao.

According to Goal, who named Ronaldo as the world's richest footballer in the third annual Football Rich List this week, the Real Madrid superstar could be on course to overtake the 37-year-old unbeaten boxer in the money leagues as early as next year.

According to the recently published Forbes list, which documents the world's 100 richest athletes, Ronaldo earned $80 million in 2015 – second only to Floyd Mayweather Jr, who earned $105 million.

Goal theorise that Floyd Mayweather Jr will retire at the end of 2015 – with an unblemished 50-0-0 record – and from that point in, he'll be relying on earnings outside of the ring. Right now, 'Money' Mayweather has no endorsement deals.

Ronaldo isn't as flash with his cash as Mayweather...yet.

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Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo earned $52 million last year from his Real Madrid contract and a huge $28 million from commercial activities. Mayweather is likely to earn $180 million for his May 2nd clash with Manny Pacquiao – but no one's quite sure where his income will be coming from once he hangs up his gloves.

Kurt Badenhausen, Senior Editor at Forbes, is in agreement that Cristiano Ronaldo is the heir-apparent to Floyd's rich list throne:


"Companies are always going to be wary of aligning themselves with Mayweather for personal endorsements but that has never been how top boxers make their money. Ronaldo should continue to add to his personal endorsements as long as he continues to perform at a high level."

Cristiano Ronaldo can do no wrong.

[via Goal

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