Cristiano Ronaldo has topped a list of the world’s highest-paid footballers for the third year in a row.The Al Nassr forward’s earning in 2026 have seen him become a multi-billionaire.Ronaldo will reportedly earn £224million in 2026instagram @alnassrRonaldo has already ranked as the best paid athlete in the world every year since 2023.He has now extended his run as the highest-paid footballer on the planet in Forbes’ latest money list.According to the business magazine, Ronaldo will earn £224million this year across his Al Nassr salary, endorsements and business ventures.It sees him rank ahead of World Cup winners Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe, who will take home £108million and £75million, respectively.Meanwhile, Manchester City striker Erling Haaland (£64million) and Vinicius Jr of Real Madrid (£57million) complete the top five.Ronaldo becomes multi-billionaireRonaldo’s staggering earnings have seen the 41-year-old make a unique piece of financial history.The Portugal international has become the first footballer to have a net worth of more than $2billion (£1.5billion).He is also the first active athlete in sports history to surpass the figure in career earnings before taxes and agent fees.Across the 2026/27 season, Ronaldo will earn £187million from his Al Nassr deal after his contract extension in June 2025.His sponsorships and business ventures equate to a further £37million in earnings for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.Ronaldo is the first footballer to become a multi-billionaireInstagram / @cristianoRonaldo has endorsement deals with global brands including Lego, Nike, Panini and Whoop.This year looks set to be his last at the top of Forbes’ list of the highest-paid footballers, though.He revealed in August that he expects the current season to be his last, with his Al Nassr contract expiring next summer.Ronaldo will turn 42 in February, having made his senior debut as a 17-year-old in August 2002.At present, he has scored 975 goals in 1,335 appearances for club and country as he closes in on his goal of 1,000 senior career goals.Could Messi surpass Ronaldo’s net worth?As for Messi, the former Argentina captain’s net worth is estimated to surpass the £1.5billion mark next year.Messi’s net worth is set to reach £1.5billion in 2025GettyThis is in part thanks to his £52million-a-year Inter Miami salary following his contract extension in October 2025.The 39-year-old is set to remain with the MLS side until the end of 2028, by which point he will have turned 41.His off-field endeavours also see the forward earn a further £56million annually.Messi has twice been named the world’s highest-paid athlete in 2019 and 2022, with this year’s list placing him third behind Ronaldo and legendary Mexican boxer Canelo Alvarez.