Christiano Ronaldo Overtakes Floyd Mayweather Jnr. As world Highest Earning Athlete

Cristiano Ronaldo has become the top earning athlete in the world after raking in a cool £61million in the last year alone.

The superstar footballer usurped long-term leader Floyd Mayweather Jnr into first place. The retired boxer, who fought just once in the last 12 months, earned £30million. 

Ronaldo's monster pay-packet was the result of his eye-watering £38.5million-a-year salary with Spanish giants Real Madrid and endorsement deals with the likes of Nike, watchmaker Tag Heuer and nutrition supplements group Herbalife - themselves worth £22million. 

His footballing rival Lionel Messi - who the 31-year-old beat to be crowned the World Player of the Year in January - was second on the list, taking home £56million in 2015/16.

It is the first time since 2001 that an athlete other than Mayweather Jnr or golfer Tiger Woods topped the earning league.

Former world number one Woods has not won a single tournament since 2013 and missed most of the last year recovering from surgery on his back.

The top Brit earner was F1 driver Lewis Hamilton, who took home £31million after a year that saw him crowned world champion for the second time.

Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy - who has a whopping £120million deal with Nike - earned £29million.

On a club perspective, Barcelona FC were paid more than any other team through sponsorship deals. The La Liga champions current agreement is thought to bring in £117million-a-year. 

Ronaldo and Messi are the only football players in the top 20, which also features no women.

source:http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3632269/Cristiano-Ronaldo-overtakes-Floyd-Mayweather-Jr-world-s-highest-paid-athlete-earning-61MILLION-year.html