Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s rivalry has long stretched beyond goals and trophies to the question fans everywhere ask: who makes more money? In 2025, the answer became clearer than ever. According to Forbes’ 2025 rankings of the world’s highest-paid athletes, Cristiano Ronaldo earned far more than Lionel Messi, topping the list with an eye-watering total of about $275 million in earnings, while Messi earned around $135 million over the same period.
Ronaldo’s massive haul was driven primarily by his gargantuan contract with Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr, where he earns one of the richest salaries in sports history, reportedly more than $200 million annually when salary, bonuses and endorsements are combined. His status as the highest-paid athlete on the planet in 2025 reflects both his enduring popularity and the financial firepower of the league that has transformed global football economics.
Messi, meanwhile, remained among the top-earning athletes worldwide despite trailing Ronaldo in total earnings. His reported $135 million in 2025 came from a mix of on-field earnings at Inter Miami and lucrative off-field deals, including endorsements and business ventures such as partnerships and his growing lifestyle brand.
Off the pitch, both superstars have parlayed their fame into lucrative deals and investments. Ronaldo has reached a historic milestone by becoming the first football billionaire, a feat fueled not only by football wages but a sprawling enterprise of personal brands, commercial deals and real estate ventures.
Messi’s income has likewise been boosted by long-term endorsements and investment successes, including ventures tied to consumer products and stake options in sports properties.
Despite their advancing ages and shifts in playing careers, Messi and Ronaldo’s financial rivalry remains as compelling as their on-field battles. Their combined influence continues to redefine what it means to be a global sports icon in 2025, blending sporting excellence with commercial genius and cultural impact that resonates far beyond football.
