Ronaldo beats Messi as highest paid footballer

Cristiano Ronaldo has again beaten longstanding rival Lionel Messi in the overall earnings stakes, maintaining his status as the highest paid footballer in the world.

Overall, the Portuguese pocketed $82 million in 2015, as revealed by Forbes magazine. Messi, meanwhile, finished in second place with total earnings of $77 million.

Ronaldo received $53 million in salary and bonus payments, plus an additional $29 million from endorsement deals, making the 31-year-old the highest paid footballer for a third consecutive year.

Messi earned $51 million in salary and bonus payments in 2015, despite winning the treble compared to zero major trophies won by Ronaldo in 2015. 

The Argentine also pocketed another $26 million from endorsement deals.

Source ; MENA