TOP 10 RICHEST ATHLETS IN THE WORLD

Cristiano Ronaldo according to Forbe's made $32m from endorsement deals alone last year.

The Real Madrid star earns more than any other sportsperson,according to the Forbe's annual list of wealthiest athletes in the world.

The business magazine list of wealthiest athletes has been led by either Boxer Floyd Mayweather or golfer Tiger Woods for the past decade and half.But owing to Mayweather retiring and Woods not playing anymore because of injury,the Portugal captain has taken over the top.

He earned $88m from salary,bonuses and endorsement last year.

Ronaldo,31,is only the second team sport athlete,after basketball superstar Micheal Jordan,to have topped the list since Forbes began tracking in 1990

He makes $32m in off-pitch earnings,which include $13m a year deal with sports giant Nike.

His closest rival ,Barcelona and Argentine forward Lionel Messi is second on the list with earnings of $81.4m last year.

Here is the full list:

* Cristiano Ronaldo-football($88m)

* Lionel Messi-football($81.4m)

* LeBron James-Basketball($77.2m)

* Roger Federer-Tennis($67.8m)

* Kevin Durant-Basketball($56.2m)

* Novak Djokovic-Tennis($55.8)

* Cam Newton-American football($53.1m)

* Phil Mickelson-golf($52.9m)

* Jordan Spieth-golf($52.8)

* Kobe Bryant-basketball($50m)

One in four of the top 100 earning stars in the Forbes list is baseball player and 65 of them are Americans.Altogether, the 100 earned $3.1bn in 2015.

F1 Lewis Hamilton is the highest earning Briton on the list .His $46m puts him in the 11th position.

Northern Ireland golfer Rory Mcllroy is 17th,with $42.6m of which a higher percentage came from endorsement deals.

Ronaldo team-mate and Wales international Gareth Bale,is the highest earning British  footballer,with his $35.9m putting him in 25th position.

World number one Tennis player Serena Williams is the highest placed woman on the list,in 40th,with $28.9m.Another female tennis player to feature in the top list is Maria Sharapova,who is in the 79th position with $21.9m

England and Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney is at 49th with $26.1m,making him the highest grossing Premier league player.

Sergio Aguero is the next biggest earner in the Premier League.the Manchester City player earns $24.3m,at 60th position.