Lionel Messi earned $135M to be the 2nd 2023 highest-paid footballers in the world according to Forbes

Information reaching Kossyderrickent has it that Lionel Messi earned $135M to be the 2nd 2023 highest-paid footballers in the world according to Forbes.

Ronaldo calls Manchester United his second family.

With Ronaldo less than two years into a five-year contract at the Bernabau, any potential bidder must also be prepared to sanction a four-year deal, worth approximately £9 million a year in wages. An admission by United manager Louis van Gaal last week that the club would be interested in signing Ronaldo, five years after his world-record £80 million transfer to Real, has added to speculation in Spain that the world footballer of the year could be sold by the European champions at the end of this season.

Ronaldo’s fractious relationship with Real president Florentino Perez has become increasingly strained following his public disagreement with the decision to sell Angel di Maria and Xabi Alonso during the transfer window. There is now a growing sense within the game that Perez will consider selling Ronaldo next summer. Equally, Ronaldo has done little to dismiss the prospect of a return to United, admitting only last month that the club was like a “second family”.

Ronaldo’s value to Al Nassr and the club’s owners – which include the Saudi Public Investment Fund – is not limited to what he can do on the soccer field. Forbes explained: “Ronaldo’s new Saudi employers haven’t been shy about taking advantage of his prowess as a celebrity pitchman.

2023 highest-paid footballers in the world, per Forbes

1. Ronaldo ($260m)

2. Messi ($135m)

3. Neymar ($112m)

4. Mbappé ($110m)

5. Benzema ($106m)

6. Haaland ($58m)

7. Salah ($53m)

8. Mané ($52m)

9. De Bruyne ($39m)

10. Kane ($36m)