Nigeria, Jan. 15 -- Cristiano Ronaldo has once again emerged as the world's highest paid athlete, widening the earnings gap between himself and long time rival Lionel Messi, according to the latest Sportico rankings.

The Portuguese star topped the list for a third consecutive year, driven by a lucrative Saudi Pro League contract and massive commercial income.

Ronaldo earned an estimated 200 million dollars from football in the past year, with an additional 60 million dollars coming from endorsements and business ventures.

His global appeal continues to grow, helped by a social media following that now exceeds one billion across platforms, making him one of the most marketable athletes in history.

Lionel Messi placed third on the list...