Al-Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo has secured for himself another Guinness World Records title for the highest yearly earnings by an athlete in 2023.

This was confirmed in a post on GWR’s website on Thursday.

The former Man United star topped Forbes’ list of the best-paid athletes in the world for the first time since 2017 (and third time overall).

Ronaldo is expected to have made $136 million (£107.5 M) in the 12 months prior to May 1, 2023 (the date by which most sports seasons end).

Ronaldo takes the title from Messi, who was the highest-paid athlete of 2022 with an estimated $130 million (£103 M).

Ronaldo’s record-breaking income is comprised of $46 million (£35 M) in on-field earnings and $90 million (£68.5 M) in off-field earnings.

Following a somewhat underwhelming second spell at Manchester United, Ronaldo departed in January 2023 to Saudi Arabian team Al-Nassr.

He received a bumper contract which nearly doubled his salary to an estimated $75 million (£57 M).

Rounding out the top three highest paid athletes of 2022-23 are two other football/soccer players: Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé.

Messi came in second with $130 million, split evenly between $65 million in on-field earnings and $65 million in off-field earnings.