Conor McGregor has been named the highest-paid athlete by Forbes for the past year, pipping Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to the top spot. The mixed martial arts star, currently training in Dubai for his return to the octagon at UFC 264 in July, was estimated to have banked $180 million in earnings, most of which was generated outside his sport – a remarkable feat considering the global pandemic.
FC Barcelona star Lionel Messi came in second on the list, closely followed by Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo. The two scooped in total earnings of $130 million and $120 million respectively. Cristiano Ronaldo was followed by Dak Prescott at $107.5 million and NBA star LeBron James at $96.5 million.
The past year's highest-paid athletes, per @Forbes
1️⃣ Conor McGregor: $180M
2️⃣ Lionel Messi: $130M
3️⃣ Cristiano Ronaldo: $120M
4️⃣ Dak Prescott: $107.5M
5️⃣ Lebron James: $96.5M
6️⃣ Neymar: $95M
7️⃣ Roger Federer: $90M
8️⃣ Lewis Hamilton: $82M
9️⃣ Tom Brady: $76M
🔟 Kevin Durant: $75M pic.twitter.com/25YNVCTyfE— Front Office Sports (@FOS) May 12, 2021
