MESSI’S R2.1 BILLION MAKES HIM THE TOP-PAID ATHLETE

Lionel Messi has been named the highest-paid athlete on the planet over the last year by Forbes, having reportedly earned $130 million (R2.1 billion). He was one of three footballers in the top four, with Cristiano Ronaldo ($115 million) and Neymar ($95 million) slotting in behind NBA megastar Lebron James ($121.2 million). The top 10 was completed by Steph Curry ($92.8 million), Kevin Durant ($92.1 million), Roger Federer ($90.7 million), Canelo Alvarez ($90 million), Tom Brady ($83.9 million) and Giannis Antetokounmpo ($80.9 million). Messi, who came top in 2019, became the third athlete to top the list in multiple years after Floyd Mayweather (2012, 2014, 2015 & 2018) and Ronaldo (2016 & 2017).