♦ Portuguese soccer Cristiano Ronaldo was named the No. 1 earner on Forbes’ list of highest-paid athletes in the world for 2025.

♦ He earned an estimated $275 million (Rs.2356 crores).

♦ Meanwhile, Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, who in March became the first NBA player to reach 4,000 career three-pointers, jumped to second place in the rankings with $156 million.

♦ Boxer Tyson Fury claimed third place with $146 million. Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, reached fourth with $137 million.

♦ Meanwhile, Argentine Lionel Messi dropped to fifth place with $135 million — the same as last year — having moved to Major League Soccer side Inter Miami, as well as continuing to receive high-profile endorsements from Adidas and Apple.

♦ Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, nearing the end of his illustrious career, came sixth with $133.8 million.

♦ MLB New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto came in at a remarkable seventh place, earning $114 million.

♦ The 26-year-old Dominican signed a $765 million, 15-year contract, the largest in baseball history.

♦ French striker Karim Benzema, who plays for Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad, is eighth with earnings of $104 million.

♦ Japanese Shohei Ohtani is in ninth place with $102.5 million, having deferred most of his earnings from his mega-contract with MLB team Los Angeles Dodgers.

♦ His earnings were boosted significantly by their World Series victory last year.

♦ NBA Phoenix Suns’ Kevin Durant rounds off the top 10 with $101.4 million.