(SPORTSMAX) – World fastest man Usain Bolt has jumped 41 places on the latest Forbes 2016 World’s Highest-Paid Athletes list.The 29-year-old Jamaican is listed as having accumulated earnings of US$32.5 million last year. The amount was up from the US$21M the athlete made the previous year.
According to the wealth magazine, US$2.5M of those earnings come via salary and winnings, with a whopping US$30M coming via endorsements.
The list is topped by Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo whose earnings were calculated at US$88M. Barcelona star Lionel Messi is second on this list with earnings of US$81.4M.
Bolt is now 32 on the Forbes list.
LeBron James, who leads the Cleveland Cavaliers against defending champion Golden State in the ongoing NBA Finals, was third on the list and top among Americans with US$77.2 million.
According to the publication, Bolt continues to be head and shoulders above his sport.
“Usain Bolt continues to blow away the competition on and off the track,” the magazine said.
“He won gold in the 100 metres and 200 metres at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing. It is the same double he pulled off at the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics. Bolt will race at the 2016 Rio Olympics with eyes on a three-peat.
“Bolt is in a class by himself in terms of his marketing prowess. His comps are not other track stars, but global icons like Messi, LeBron and Ronaldo. An Olympic year makes him an even hotter commodity.”