RONALDO IS FOOTBALL'S HIGHEST EARNER, MESSI COMES A CLOSE SECOND

CRISTIANO RONALDO has been revealed as the highest-paid player in the world — raking in an astonishing £57million in wages and sponsorships combined in 2015, according to the latest figures released from Forbes.

The Real Madrid star’s sensational income saw earn more than any other athlete on the globe.

Lionel Messi was the second-highest earning footballer on the list, netting a tidy sum of £54m.

Cristiano Ronaldo was the highest-paid athlete in the world in 2015, earning £57million Getty Images

Wayne Rooney was the Premier League's highest-paid footballer in 2015 PA:Press Association

Wayne Rooney was the Premier League’s biggest earner.

His £18m placing him at sixth in list — while, Gareth Bale was the UK’s No1 and a place higher, have raked in £24m.

Serial flop Falcao was astonishingly the 13th highest-paid footballer the world.

Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Neymar were all in the top eight best-paid footballers in the world Getty Images

Real Madrid's Gareth Bale raked in a cool £24million in 2015 Getty Images

The current Chelsea — and former Manchester United — bench warmer earned £13m year.

Altogether, half of the top 20 were made up of Premier League players.

While another two — Angel Di Maria and Robin van Persie — spent the majority of 2015 in England.