Ronaldo at Number 4, Messi at Number 8 highest-paid celebrities in the world by Forbes

Real Madrid and Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo is the joint-fourth highest-paid celebrity in the world, according to new figures published by Forbes.

Ronaldo, who recently helped Portugal win Euro 2016, earns a total of $88m (£66.2m) in salary and sponsorship income, putting him level with American TV star Dr. Phil McGraw.

According to the data, Ronaldo, 31, earns $55m in wages while the rest comes from his several lucrative sponsorship deals with global brands such as Nike, Tag Heuer, Sacoor Brothers suits and Monster headphones.


Ronaldo ranks above Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, who is the eighth highest-paid celebrity and second wealthiest footballer with an income of $81.5m (£61.3m).

The third richest sports celebrity is basketball icon LeBron James on $77m (£57.9m), while musician Taylor Swift ranks the highest on the list with an income of $170m (£127.9m).

British band One Direction ($110m/£82.7m) and American author James Patterson ($95m/£71.5m) are the only other two celebrities that finish higher than Ronaldo on Forbes' list.