RON TOP AGAIN Forbes rich list: Cristiano Ronaldo gets another one over on Lionel Messi as highest earning sports stars are revealed

CRISTIANO RONALDO once again has bragging rights over Lionel Messi for earning more money than his nemesis over a year.

The Real Madrid superstar, 31, raked in an eye-watering £66.8million – in salary and sponsorship income – between June 2015 and June 2016, according to new figures published by Forbes.

Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is the highest earning sports person between June 2015 and June 2016, according to Forbes’s list of highest paid celebs

Cristiano Ronaldo earned £28.9m through sponsorship deals including Nike

While Barcelona rival Messi, 29, fell short of the benchmark with £61.8m in total earnings.

According to the data, Ronaldo made £37.9m in wages and bonuses and another £28.9m through sponsorship deals with Nike, Tag Heuer, Sacoor Brothers suits and Monster headphones.

Messi, on the other hand, earned £40.5m in Barca wages and bonuses and £21.2m through endorsements including sportswear giants adidas.

Ron's financial triumph completes a hat-trick in bragging rights over his arch-enemy this season.

The Portugal captain had already won the Champions League and Euro 2016 to cement himself as favourite for the Ballon d'Or this year.

Third highest earning sports person on the list is NBA star LeBron James (£58.4m).

Lionel Messi earned £61.8m between June 2015 and June 2015

The American is followed by Roger Federer (51.6m), basketball ace Kevin Durant (£42.5m) and Novak Djokovic (also £42.5m).

American football hero Cam Newton (£40.2m) comes in at joint-seventh alongside Jordan Spieth and Phil Mickelson, while NBA legend Kobe Bryant (£37.9m) completes the top ten.

NBA star Kobe Bryant completes the top ten list with £37.9m earned

Lewis Hamilton earned the most out of any Brits with £35million over 12 months

Gareth Bale (£27.4m) – who helped steer Wales to an historic Euros semi-final – is only 24th on the list, despite his £86m world record move to Real in 2013.

While Formula One champ Lewis Hamilton (£35m) is 11th and the first Brit to make the list.