Salary/Winnings: $52.6m Endorsements: $27m Cristiano Ronaldo remains the highest-paid player on the planet, earning even more per year than Lionel Messi. The Real Madrid star is indispensable to the club, not only in terms of match day performances, but also in enhancing their brand; he's the most followed athlete in the world on social media, and a genuine household name. Ronaldo's status is reinforced by a series of well-paying endorsement deals, including Nike. He also rakes in the profit from his own CR7 brand, which specialises in underwear and shirts. Despite approaching 31, Ronaldo's game doesn't seem to have declined at all - a testament to his legendary work rate and dedication. Who knows how long he can remain the highest paid footballer on Earth?