Barcelona star Lionel Messi is the highest paid athlete in the world after earning $127 million over the last 12

Becoming only the second footballer to top the list, the 31-year-old Argentine edged out rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who sits second having earned $109 million last year.

Juventus forward Ronaldo became the first footballer to top the list in 2016 and the 34-year-old retained his top-spot in 2017.