RONAL-DOUGH World’s highest-paid footballers revealed as Cristiano Ronaldo dwarfs Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal, 18, cashing in

The Portuguese superstar is still raking in the cash aged 40.

Cristiano Ronaldo remains the world's top paid footballer

Ronaldo was a free agent during the summer but decided to pen a two-year extension with Saudi side Al-Nassr reportedly worth £200million per season.

The forward remains incredibly marketable, boasting endorsements with the likes of Nike, Tag Heuer, Herbalife and Poker Stars.

These brand deals, coupled with Ronaldo's own business interests including his YouTube channel, are set to bank him a further £45m in off-field earnings.

The veteran's total earnings dwarfs those of his old rival Lionel Messi, who is No2 on the list.

Having snubbed Saudi for Inter Miami when leaving European football in 2023, Messi accepted a vastly lower salary than that of Ronaldo.

The iconic Argentine takes home around £45m per year in salary, but makes more than that in endorsements.

Despite having entered the twilight of his career, Messi still pulls in more than £50m in off-field earnings, including deals with the likes of Adidas, Pepsi and Budweiser.

Like CR7, Messi has several business interests of his own – including an energy drink and hotel line.

Lionel Messi continues to rake in the cash aged 38

Ronaldo's former running mate Karim Benzema is third on the list aged 37.

The Frenchman pulls in a comparatively small £3.4m in endorsements – put rakes in a total of £75m due to his enormous wages at Al-Ittihad.

Narrowly behind Benzema is his compatriot and current Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe.

The forward pockets around £52m in wages from the Spanish giants, to go along with £18m in off-field earnings – a number that could still rise in the coming years.

At No5 is the Premier League's top earner; Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland.

The long-haired Norwegian pockets around £45m in salary from City, to go along with around £15m in endorsements – including an enviable Nike deal.

Vinicius Jr is the second Real Madrid superstar on the list, taking home in the region of £30m in salary and £17m from off-field endeavours.

Mo Salah, who extended his Liverpool contract earlier this year, rakes in £26m per year from the Reds – to go along with £15m in endorsements.

The Egyptian is an extremely marketable figure, particularly in the Arabic and Muslim communities – making him a valuable commodity to brands including the likes of Adidas, Pepsi and Vodafone.

Karim Benzema continues to earn a fortune aged 37

Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr are both paid a pretty penny by Real Madrid

Erling Haaland is the Premier League's highest-paid player

Mo Salah has enormous commercial appeal around the world

Salah's old running mate Sadio Mane, now of Al-Nassr, is No8 on the list.

Like fellow Saudi-based star Benzema, the Senegalese ace pulls in a comparatively small £3.4m in endorsements – but makes £40m per year overall due to his huge Al-Nassr wages.

Jude Bellingham is the third Real Madrid star and first Englishman on the list at a total £33m.

The midfielder takes home around £21.5m in wages, supplemented by endorsements with Adidas and Lucozade.

Rounding out the top 10 is Barcelona's superstar wonderkid Lamine Yamal.

At just 18, the Spain winger already pockets around £25m per year in wages.

His endorsements earnings stand at approximately £7m per year, a number that will surely increase tenfold in the near future.