Four of Forbes' 'World's 10 Highest-Paid Athletes' tied to Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia's influence over the sporting world is highlighted in the Forbes 2023 list of the world's highest-paid athletes, with four having links to the Gulf state.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who currently plays for Riyadh-based Al-Nassr, is in pole position on the World's 10 Highest-Paid Athletes list, earning $136 million. He doubled his salary last year after moving from English giants Manchester United to the Saudi club. 

Golfers Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson, who are ranked 6th and 7th, are two of the LIV Golf tour's major players. The two switched from the PGA Tour to the controversial Saudi-sponsored tournament last year, and, despite losing some sponsorships, have made it onto the list thanks to generous LIV Golf tour payments.

The World's 10 Highest-Paid Athletes in 2023, according to @Forbes:

1. Cristiano Ronaldo: $136 million
2. Lionel Messi: $130 million
3. Kylian Mbappe: $120 million
4. LeBron James: $119 million
5. Canelo Alvarez: $110 million
6. Dustin Johnson: $107 million
7. Phil Mickelson:… pic.twitter.com/fW4ORuX81m

— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) May 2, 2023

Footballing superstar Lionel Messi, who ranks second on the list with earnings of $130 million, also earns money from Saudi Arabia, holding a role to promote tourism for the kingdom.

Earlier this week, reports emerged that he had been suspended from turning out for Qatar-backed Paris Saint-Germain for two weeks for allegedly making an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia. There are also rumours he could join Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League after his contract with PSG expires in the summer. 

Saudi Arabia has repeatedly been accused of 'sportwashing' to distract from its poor human rights record, which includes intolerance of political opposition as well as notoriously strict laws that discriminate against women and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Saudi officials also carried out the assassination of journalist and dissident Jamal Khashoggi in 2018. The country is also one of the world's leading users of capital punishment. 

In addition to bringing in Ronaldo and courting Messi, the kingdom’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) took ownership of English Premier League side Newcastle United in 2021. 

The PIF also sponsors LIV Golf, whose most recent tour stop in Adelaide was met with widespread backlash. 

Riyadh’s efforts to become an official sponsor of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup were met with international outrage from the event organisers, football players, and human rights groups.