Lionel Messi has beaten Cristiano Ronaldo into top spot as the best-paid athlete over the past year (Image: GETTY)
Barcelona star Messi has raked in an astronomical €127million (£99.8m) in the past year, making him the best-paid athlete in the world.
The Argentine helped Barcelona secure the La Liga title but experienced disappointment as his side lost to Valencia and Liverpool in the Copa del Rey and the Champions League respectively during an inconsistent season.
Messi huge wages and extensive sponsorship deals have seen him earn nearly £15m more than his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who joined Juventus from Real Madrid last summer.
According to the Forbes rankings, Ronaldo earned $109m (£85.6m) which puts him slightly ahead of Brazilian superstar Neymar who totted up $105m (£82.5m).
Messi is only the second footballer after Ronaldo to top the rankings since they were introduced in 1990, and it is the first time footballers have occupied the top three spots.
Last year’s top earner Floyd Mayweather has dropped off the list entirely while tennis great Roger Federer sits fifth in the overall rankings with earnings of $93.4m (£73.3).
LeBron James, Steph Curry and Kevin Durrant are all in the top 10 while 32 other NBA stars are included in the top 100.
However, Serena Williams is the only woman in the top 100, earning $29.2m (£22.9m).
Serena Williams is the only woman in the Forbes Top 100 rankings (Image: GETTY)
Forbes highest-paid athletes 2019 – Top 10
10, Kevin Durant $65.4m (£51.3m)
9. Stephen Curry $79.8m (£62.7m)
8. LeBron James $89m (£69.9m)
7. Aaron Rodgers $89.3m £70.1m)
6. Russell Wilson $89.5m (£70.3m)
Russell Wilson is the highest-paid NFL player (Image: GETTY)
Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
5. Roger Federer $93.4m (£73.3)
4. Canelo Alvarez $94m (£73.8m)
3. Neymar $105m (£82.5m)
2. Cristiano Ronaldo $109m (£85.6m)
1. Lionel Messi $127m (£99.8m)
Messi is just the eighth different athlete to top the charts since the rankings started in 1990 (Image: GETTY)