Which athlete ranked first on Forbes’ 2016 list of the world’s highest-paid athletes?

Cristiano Ronaldo ranked first on Forbes’ 2016 list of the world’s highest-paid athletes.

Forbes estimated Ronaldo’s 2016 earnings at about $88 million, including salary, bonuses, and endorsement income. He played for Real Madrid during the period covered and earned substantial commercial revenue from global sponsorships, licensing, and personal-brand agreements.

Ronaldo’s football salary was only one part of the calculation. Forbes’ highest-paid-athlete ranking combines on-field or playing income with off-field earnings during a defined 12-month period. That approach explains why athletes with lower team salaries can sometimes outrank players with larger contracts if their endorsements are especially valuable.

Lionel Messi finished close behind in the same ranking, which often causes confusion between the two stars. Ronaldo’s 2016 year also included Portugal’s victory at UEFA Euro 2016, the country’s first major men’s football tournament title.