Ronaldo named the world's highest-paid athlete

The Real Madrid tops the ranking thanks to his mammoth wage at the Bernabeu, with Lionel Messi in second and NBA star LeBron James completing the podium

Cristiano Ronaldo has been named as the world's highest-paid athlete in the 2016 edition of American business magazine Forbes' list.

Ronaldo earned $88 million up to June 1 2016, which is made up of $56m in salary and $32m in endorsements to put him clear at the top.

It is the first time since 2000 that the number one position has not been filled by boxer Floyd Mayweather – now retired after finishing first last year - or golfer Tiger Woods, who has not won a major for eight years.

Ronaldo's total put him ahead of fellow footballer Lionel Messi, who picked up $81.4m over the past 12 months, while basketball star LeBron James was third with $77.2m – up from number six spot last year.

James earned more than the Barcelona and Real Madrid players in endorsements ($54m), although his $23.2m salary was dwarfed by the wages of Ronaldo and Messi ($53.4m).