Cristiano Ronaldo has again beaten longstanding rival Lionel Messi in the overall earnings stakes, maintaining his status as the highest paid footballer in the world.

Overall, the Portuguese pocketed $82 million in 2015, as revealed by Forbes magazine. Messi, meanwhile, finished in second place with total earnings of $77 million.

Ronaldo received $53 million in salary and bonus payments, plus an additional $29 million from endorsement deals, making the 31-year-old the highest paid footballer for a third consecutive year.

Messi earned $51 million in salary and bonus payments in 2015, despite winning the treble compared to zero major trophies won by Ronaldo in 2015. 

The Argentine also pocketed another $26 million from endorsement deals.

Source ; MENA