Lionel Messi has been named the highest-paid athlete for 2022, according to Forbes' annual rich list, with the Paris Saint-Germain star raking in $130 million through a combination of on-field and off-field earnings.
Messi's annual contract with PSG, whom he joined from Barcelona last summer, is reported to be worth around $40m in addition to the $25m the Argentine received as a signing fee. Away from the pitch, the 34-year-old forward signed a $20m-per-year sponsorship with fan engagement platform Socios, adding to an endorsement portfolio which includes Adidas, Pepsi, Hard Rock International, and earlier this week, Saudi Arabia tourism.
Messi is followed on the list by basketball star LeBron James, who made $121.2m. The Los Angeles Lakers star has a large portfolio of sponsorship deals, including Nike, Crypto.com, Beats Electronics, and Pepsi. James also starred in the Space Jam: A New Legacy movie and sold his minority stake in production company SpringHill. While his off-court earnings of $80m are responsible for the majority of his wealth last year, the 37-year-old American also earned $41.2m with his Lakers contract.
Completing the top three is Messi's long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo at $115m. It may have been a disappointing season for Manchester United but that has not affected Ronaldo's earning potential, with the Portuguese forward pocketing $60m in on-field earnings and $55m in sponsorship and business from endorsements with Nike, Herbalife, Clear shampoo, and his own CR7 clothing brand.
Perhaps the most interesting inclusion on the top 10 list is tennis great Roger Federer, who occupies seventh spot, despite only making $700,000 in prize money due to a long-term injury absence. However, the 40-year-old Swiss made $90m away from the court through Uniqlo, Rolex, Wilson, and Mercedes, while his investment in Swiss shoe brand On paid off big time after the company went public in September and raised more than $600m.
The full top 10 list can be found in the photo gallery above. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
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Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
- Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
More from our Neighbourhood series:
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Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
Coffee: black death or elixir of life?
It is among the greatest health debates of our time; splashed across newspapers with contradicting headlines - is coffee good for you or not?
Depending on what you read, it is either a cancer-causing, sleep-depriving, stomach ulcer-inducing black death or the secret to long life, cutting the chance of stroke, diabetes and cancer.
The latest research - a study of 8,412 people across the UK who each underwent an MRI heart scan - is intended to put to bed (caffeine allowing) conflicting reports of the pros and cons of consumption.
The study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, contradicted previous findings that it stiffens arteries, putting pressure on the heart and increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke, leading to warnings to cut down.
Numerous studies have recognised the benefits of coffee in cutting oral and esophageal cancer, the risk of a stroke and cirrhosis of the liver.
The benefits are often linked to biologically active compounds including caffeine, flavonoids, lignans, and other polyphenols, which benefit the body. These and othetr coffee compounds regulate genes involved in DNA repair, have anti-inflammatory properties and are associated with lower risk of insulin resistance, which is linked to type-2 diabetes.
But as doctors warn, too much of anything is inadvisable. The British Heart Foundation found the heaviest coffee drinkers in the study were most likely to be men who smoked and drank alcohol regularly.
Excessive amounts of coffee also unsettle the stomach causing or contributing to stomach ulcers. It also stains the teeth over time, hampers absorption of minerals and vitamins like zinc and iron.
It also raises blood pressure, which is largely problematic for people with existing conditions.
So the heaviest drinkers of the black stuff - some in the study had up to 25 cups per day - may want to rein it in.
Rory Reynolds
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
