Cristiano Ronaldo Becomes First Footballer To Top Forbes List of Highest-Paid Athletes

The Real Madrid star raked in a whopping £60 million last year from his salary and endorsements

Cristiano Ronaldo has topped the Forbes list of the world's highest paid athletes for the first time.

The Real Madrid star became the first footballer to do so after raking in a whopping £60 million last year.

Ronaldo, 31, earned £38.4 million from salary and £21.6 million from endorsements to take him to the number one spot.

The retirement of boxer Floyd Mayweather left a vacancy at the top for the Portuguese sportsman to fill.

The three-time FIFA player of the year is described as a 'marketing juggernaut' and has a massive social media presence with 214 5 million followers across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

    Ronaldo relaxes with friends on a luxury yacht in Ibiza

   The Real Madrid star raked in £60million last year

Read more : Cristiano Ronaldo undergoes body switch as Nike tease fans with trailer for multi-million pound Euro 2016 film

Between June 1 2015 and June 1 2016, Ronald generated £120 million in advertising with social media posts for brands that sponsor him like Nike, Tag Heuer, and Herbalife.

Ronaldo's other business dealings include a line of suits, cologne, shirts, suits, underwear and even his own hotel.

    Lionel Messi came in second after earning £55.9million

    LeBron James is third on £53million

Barcelona star Lionel Messi is second in the list after earning £55.9 million, followed by US basketball star LeBron James in third on £53 million.

In fourth was Roger Federer on £46.5 million followed by US basketball star Kevin Durant on £38.6 million in fifth.

In total the top 100 athletes earned a total £2.1 billion, a slight decrease on the £2.2 billion earned last year boosted by the £316 million earned by Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.

    Lewis Hamilton is the highest paid British sports star

The highest earning Brit was Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton at 11 who earned £31.6 million.

Real Madrid star Gareth Bale was in 25th with £24.6 million and Wayne Rooney was 49th with £17.9 million.

Andy Murray was 74th having pulled in £15.8 million.

CREDIT:Mirror