Thursday, December 23, 2021
Lionel Messi also beaten off
“Mr. Whiskey” beats Ronaldo in “Forbes” ranking
Cristiano Ronaldo is the lifestyle icon among footballers. But the Portugal star can’t capitalize on his fame as well this year as a 33-year-old Irishman. “Mr. Whiskey” surpasses him in the “Forbes” ranking of top-earning athletes. Only one Bundesliga star makes it into the top 50.
Private jet flights, fast cars, scenic vacations. Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo likes to flaunt his wealth on social networks. He can do that too – because the Portuguese is the top earner among the football stars in 2021. According to “Forbes”, the 36-year-old will be credited with the equivalent of 107 million euros (gross) including advertising income this season. He outdoes his long-term rival Lionel Messi (94 million), at least financially.
In the ranking of the highest-earning athletes, however, there is still one man in front of the two football icons: MMA fighter Conor McGregor. The 33-year-old Irishman has built up a very lucrative second pillar in addition to sport with his own whiskey “Proper No. 12”. “I wake up every day aiming to be the best in sports and business – and the money follows,” wrote McGregor in a post on Instagram describing the great success of his whiskey. “Mr. Whiskey” earns “only” 22 million US dollars through sporting achievements – but his advertising income and his noble alcoholic drink catapult the UFC fighter to 180 million US dollars in 2021. Unbelievable.
Bayern star knocked off
The top ten top earners also include Dak Prescott, Tom Brady (both football), LeBron James and Kevin Durant (both basketball), four stars from the major US leagues, the NFL and NBA, who dominate the top 50 overall. Only two women make it among these – and the top earner is tennis superstar Naomi Osaka. The Japanese, who is said to have an annual income of 60 million US dollars, caused a sensation in May when she withdrew over the dispute over a press boycott at the French Open. Osaka put their mental health above financial and set an example. “I hope the sizeable amount of punishment I am given will go to a mental health charity,” said Osaka after the French tennis federation fined the athlete $ 15,000.
Serena Williams is another tennis player in the top 50 who does not have a German athlete. After all, Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski is among the world’s top earners. The Pole has an income of the equivalent of 30 million euros – so he doesn’t even get a third of what his famous fellow goal scorers get.