![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://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=contain,width=1098,format=auto/sites/default/files/styles/1200x800/public/d8/images/canvas/2021/06/16/ff81a463-6946-4c56-9f5a-ec885a487b17_19c7f3f5.jpg?itok=kKiZPmQq&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?
![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
![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=620&h=413&crop=1)
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 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/nintchdbpict000299978474.jpg)