![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/styles/og_twitter_scmp_coronavirus_live/public/d8/images/canvas/2021/06/16/ff81a463-6946-4c56-9f5a-ec885a487b17_19c7f3f5.jpg?itok=8wWwJAiT&v=1623834677)
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?
![Football news - Paris Saint-Germain's Lionel Messi deal may lead to Kylian Mbappe's departure - Paper Round - Eurosport Football news - Paris Saint-Germain's Lionel Messi deal may lead to Kylian Mbappe's departure - Paper Round - Eurosport](https://imgresizer.eurosport.com/unsafe/1200x0/filters:format(jpeg):focal(1321x364:1323x362)/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2021/08/08/3198291-65521088-2560-1440.jpg)
Football news - Paris Saint-Germain's Lionel Messi deal may lead to Kylian Mbappe's departure - Paper Round - Eurosport
![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/sport-preview-lionel-messi.jpg?strip=all&w=1200&h=800&crop=1)
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.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2020/09/SPORT-PREVIEW-Messi-Money-1.jpg?strip=all&quality=100&w=1200&h=800&crop=1)
Messi joined the billionaire boys club thanks to endorsement deals with the likes of Adidas, a hotel and clothing label
![How Lionel Messi became a billionaire: Argentine star nets £98m a year with current Barcelona deal | Daily Mail Online How Lionel Messi became a billionaire: Argentine star nets £98m a year with current Barcelona deal | Daily Mail Online](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/09/14/17/33171690-8731785-image-a-5_1600101816119.jpg)
How Lionel Messi became a billionaire: Argentine star nets £98m a year with current Barcelona deal | Daily Mail Online
![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)