![From Conor McGregor to Cristiano Ronaldo, these are 2021's top paid athletes in the world – how did they each make over US$100 million in the past year and who's the richest? From Conor McGregor to Cristiano Ronaldo, these are 2021's top paid athletes in the world – how did they each make over US$100 million in the past year and who's the richest?](https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2021/06/16/ff81a463-6946-4c56-9f5a-ec885a487b17_19c7f3f5.jpg)
From Conor McGregor to Cristiano Ronaldo, these are 2021's top paid athletes in the world – how did they each make over US$100 million in the past year and who's the richest?
![Lionel Messi signs new lifetime deal with Adidas…as Barcelona clamber to keep Argentinian superstar at Nou Camp Lionel Messi signs new lifetime deal with Adidas…as Barcelona clamber to keep Argentinian superstar at Nou Camp](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/nintchdbpict000300116925.jpg)
Lionel Messi signs new lifetime deal with Adidas…as Barcelona clamber to keep Argentinian superstar at Nou Camp
![Lionel Messi wore Nike boots in unearthed photos before inking Adidas 'billionaire' deal - Daily Star Lionel Messi wore Nike boots in unearthed photos before inking Adidas 'billionaire' deal - Daily Star](https://i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk/incoming/article27303908.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_Messi-Barcelone.jpg)
Lionel Messi wore Nike boots in unearthed photos before inking Adidas 'billionaire' deal - Daily Star
![Lionel Messi wore Nike boots in unearthed photos before inking Adidas 'billionaire' deal - Daily Star Lionel Messi wore Nike boots in unearthed photos before inking Adidas 'billionaire' deal - Daily Star](https://i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk/incoming/article27303954.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_psg-kit-launch-1.jpg)
Lionel Messi wore Nike boots in unearthed photos before inking Adidas 'billionaire' deal - Daily Star
![Messi joined the billionaire boys club thanks to endorsement deals with the likes of Adidas, a hotel and clothing label Messi joined the billionaire boys club thanks to endorsement deals with the likes of Adidas, a hotel and clothing label](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/NINTCHDBPICT000018370763.jpg)
Messi joined the billionaire boys club thanks to endorsement deals with the likes of Adidas, a hotel and clothing label
Boardroom on Twitter: "In addition to being the world's highest-paid athlete, Leo Messi @TeamMessi has a lifetime contract with @adidas and his own fashion brand The Messi Store. https://t.co/HCIglADLy6" / Twitter
![What is Lionel Messi's net worth and how much does the Barcelona legend & PSG star earn? | Goal.com US What is Lionel Messi's net worth and how much does the Barcelona legend & PSG star earn? | Goal.com US](https://assets.goal.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/bltf0f655f07a99f262/60dae3b890ef0d39a2fb3b8d/ca6a056a5cc1fdfef874f4214b6d2dabd30dc96f.jpg?format=jpg)
What is Lionel Messi's net worth and how much does the Barcelona legend & PSG star earn? | Goal.com US
![Messi joined the billionaire boys club thanks to endorsement deals with the likes of Adidas, a hotel and clothing label Messi joined the billionaire boys club thanks to endorsement deals with the likes of Adidas, a hotel and clothing label](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/image-737c35191b.jpg?strip=all&w=600&h=338&crop=1)
Messi joined the billionaire boys club thanks to endorsement deals with the likes of Adidas, a hotel and clothing label
![Sponsorship war: Lionel Messi charges more for Adidas or Jordan? | El Futbolero US International Players Sponsorship war: Lionel Messi charges more for Adidas or Jordan? | El Futbolero US International Players](https://www.elfutbolero.us/__export/1636818910963/sites/elfutboleromx/img/2021/11/13/messi-botines-2021-f30-el-retorno-vb.jpg_1169307048.jpg)
Sponsorship war: Lionel Messi charges more for Adidas or Jordan? | El Futbolero US International Players
![Lionel Messi signs new lifetime deal with Adidas…as Barcelona clamber to keep Argentinian superstar at Nou Camp Lionel Messi signs new lifetime deal with Adidas…as Barcelona clamber to keep Argentinian superstar at Nou Camp](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/nintchdbpict000300881788.jpg?strip=all&w=720)
Lionel Messi signs new lifetime deal with Adidas…as Barcelona clamber to keep Argentinian superstar at Nou Camp
![Messi joined the billionaire boys club thanks to endorsement deals with the likes of Adidas, a hotel and clothing label Messi joined the billionaire boys club thanks to endorsement deals with the likes of Adidas, a hotel and clothing label](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/NINTCHDBPICT000600809532.jpg)
Messi joined the billionaire boys club thanks to endorsement deals with the likes of Adidas, a hotel and clothing label
![Messi joined the billionaire boys club thanks to endorsement deals with the likes of Adidas, a hotel and clothing label Messi joined the billionaire boys club thanks to endorsement deals with the likes of Adidas, a hotel and clothing label](https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2020/09/SPORT-PREVIEW-Messi-Money-1.jpg?strip=all&quality=100&w=1500&h=1000&crop=1)