PARIS, France (AFP)—Cristiano Ronaldo, the legendary Portuguese footballer, has once again claimed the top spot on Forbes’ list of the highest-paid footballers for the 2025-26 season. This marks the sixth time in the past decade that Ronaldo has led the rankings, solidifying his status as one of the sport’s most lucrative figures. The announcement follows closely on the heels of Bloomberg’s revelation that the 40-year-old has become football’s first billionaire. Ronaldo, who plays for Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, is estimated to earn a staggering $280 million, combining both on-field and off-field earnings. This figure more than doubles that of his closest rival, Lionel Messi, who is projected to earn $130 million, primarily from off-field ventures rather than his on-field contributions to Inter Miami in the United States. The list also features French football icon Karim Benzema, who earns $104 million annually with Saudi club Al Ittihad, and Senegalese forward Sadio Mane, Ronaldo’s teammate at Al Nassr, who takes the eighth spot with an estimated $54 million. Notably, the number of Saudi-based players in the top 10 has decreased by one compared to the previous year, following Brazilian star Neymar’s departure from Al Hilal to return to his childhood club, Santos in Sao Paulo. Neymar, who was third on the list last season with $110 million, now earns a modest $38 million, largely from off-field contracts. Despite the financial might of the English Premier League, which spent a record £2.6 billion ($3.5 billion) on transfers during the summer window, only two players from the league feature in the top 10: Manchester City’s Erling Haaland in fifth place and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah in seventh. Spain’s La Liga, however, boasts the most representatives in the top 10, including three Real Madrid players—Kylian Mbappe (fourth), Vinicius Jr (sixth), and Jude Bellingham (ninth)—alongside Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, who rounds out the list in tenth place with $43 million. Forbes highlighted that the combined earnings of the world’s ten highest-paid footballers for the 2025-26 season are estimated at a whopping $945 million.
分类： sports
-
Antigua Yacht Club Commodore Dr. Clarence Pilgrim Hails October Mini Dinghy Regatta Champions
The Antigua Yacht Club recently concluded its October Mini Dinghy Regatta, a vibrant event that highlighted the prowess of young sailors in various competitive classes. The regatta, part of the club’s youth sailing series, aims to nurture the next generation of skilled sailors. Among the standout performers were Shanoy Malone, who clinched victory in the Laser Class, and Tyden Jones, who emerged triumphant in the Optimist Class. The Optimist Class also saw Ruben Van Hest and Lluc Agusti securing second and third places, respectively. Commodore Dr. Clarence Pilgrim extended heartfelt congratulations to all participants, emphasizing their dedication and talent. Provisional results from the event are now accessible on the Antigua Yacht Club’s official website. The regatta not only showcased competitive spirit but also reinforced the club’s commitment to fostering young talent in sailing. Photos from the event, credited to Loraine Mitchell Gaillard, captured the excitement and determination of the participants.
-
Natio pakt zwaar bevochten punt tegen Panama: 1–1
In a fiercely contested World Cup qualifier, the Surinamese national football team managed to secure a valuable point against Panama in an away match that ended 1–1. Despite Panama’s dominance throughout the game, Suriname capitalized on their opportunities to deliver a resilient performance. Panama controlled possession from the outset, maintaining 67% of the ball in the first half and launching twelve attempts, four of which were on target. Suriname’s goalkeeper, Etienne Vaessen, played a pivotal role with several crucial saves to keep his team in the game. Against the run of play, Suriname struck in the 21st minute through a swift counterattack. Cherry Tjaronn delivered a precise pass to Richonell Margaret, who calmly finished to give Suriname a 0–1 lead. Vaessen continued to shine, making two reflex saves to deny Panama an equalizer before halftime. In the second half, Panama intensified their pressure, pinning Suriname in their own half for extended periods. A controversial penalty claim was overturned by VAR, but Panama eventually found the equalizer in the 96th minute through relentless attacking. Despite the late setback, Suriname’s mental fortitude and tactical discipline earned them a crucial point, keeping their qualification hopes alive with two matches remaining in the group stage.
-
Regional Cycling Championship Hits Belize Highways
Belize became the epicenter of Caribbean cycling this weekend as it hosted the prestigious Caribbean Elite Road Cycling Championship for the first time. The event, organized under the Caribbean Cycling Union, attracted top male and female cyclists from over a dozen countries, all vying for glory in the under-23 and elite categories. The championship kicked off with the individual time trials on Saturday, followed by the highly anticipated road races on Sunday.
In the women’s elite time trial, Trinidad and Tobago’s Teniel Campbell emerged victorious with a remarkable time of 28 minutes and 39 seconds, securing the gold medal. She was joined on the podium by Jamaica’s Liori Shape (silver) and Bermuda’s Gabriella Arnold (bronze). In the under-23 women’s category, Cuba’s Lianni Mesa Silviera claimed gold, while Bahamas’ Kami Roach and Sieanna Mackey took silver and bronze, respectively.
The men’s elite time trial saw Bermuda’s Nicholas Narraway dominate with a time of 39 minutes and 25 seconds, earning the gold medal. His teammate Conor White secured silver, and Puerto Rico’s Christopher Fontan took bronze. Belizean fans erupted in celebration as Derrick Chavarria clinched gold in the men’s under-23 time trial, finishing seven minutes ahead of his closest competitor.
The road races on Sunday were equally thrilling. In the women’s elite race, Teniel Campbell once again showcased her prowess, breaking away from the lead group to secure her second gold medal of the championship. The men’s elite race was a nail-biter, with Dominican Republic’s Alexander Germoso edging out Belize’s Oscar Quiroz and Guadeloupe’s Benjamin Leny in a sprint finish. Germoso, Quiroz, and Leny all clocked the same time of 3 hours, 49 minutes, and 58 seconds.
Derrick Chavarria continued his stellar performance, finishing fourth overall in the men’s elite race and securing his second gold in the under-23 category. The event concluded with Belizeans celebrating their athletes’ achievements and the successful hosting of this major regional sporting event.
-
LIU Keeps Dawson’s Vision Alive With Sports Movement
The William Dawson Sprite/Digi Basketball Tournament has returned for its third season, officially launching on Friday night at Birds Isle. The event, which honors the late William Dawson, former Chairman of the Leadership Intervention Unit (LIU), brought together organizers, sponsors, participants, and Dawson’s family members. With twenty teams competing for the championship, the tournament promises to be a thrilling showcase of talent and community spirit.
-
34 Saint Lucian swimmers set to make a splash at OECS contest
The Saint Lucia national swimming team, bolstered by a mix of seasoned athletes and rising stars, is set to compete in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Swimming Championships next month. The event, scheduled for November 7-9 at the Shrewsbury Aquatic Centre in St Vincent & the Grenadines, offers Saint Lucia an opportunity to improve upon their fourth-place finish from last year. This year’s team features Olympic swimmers Mikaili Charlemagne and Jordan Augier, alongside CARIFTA champions Sapphire Parks and Antoine Destang, who returns after a year-long hiatus. The squad also includes promising young talents like Kayla Rose Richards and Kenya Andrew in the Under-9 division, as well as regional veterans such as Noah Dorville and Jayden Xu. Despite the absence of key swimmers like Naima Hazell and Fayth Jeffrey, the team, under the guidance of coach Marlon James, appears well-positioned to make a strong showing. The championships will test the nation’s ability to reclaim its standing in regional swimming, with hopes of surpassing last year’s performance.
-
Women Warriors open Concacaf W Qualifiers vs Barbados on Nov. 30
The Trinidad and Tobago (TT) senior women’s football team is set to begin their 2025/26 Concacaf Women’s Qualifiers campaign with an away match against Barbados on November 30. The schedule was officially confirmed by Concacaf on October 14, marking the start of a challenging journey for the Women Warriors. TT has been placed in Group F alongside Barbados, El Salvador, and Honduras. Following their opener, the team will face Honduras on March 4, 2026, and then host El Salvador in a crucial home fixture. The squad is under the leadership of newly appointed head coach Angus Eve, who previously coached the senior men’s team, with Densill Theobald, a successful TT Premier Football League coach, serving as his assistant. With six weeks remaining before their first match, the team is intensifying training and preparation to ensure a strong start. The Concacaf Women’s Qualifiers, spanning from November 2025 to April 2026, will determine the six group winners who will join the USA and Canada in the 2026 Concacaf W Championship. This championship is a pivotal qualifier for both the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil and the 2028 LA Summer Olympics, marking a significant milestone in Concacaf’s revamped women’s national team calendar.
-
Procope continues marathon swim, thanks supporters during break
John Procope, a determined long-distance swimmer, is currently undertaking an extraordinary challenge: swimming 100 kilometers around the island of Tobago. This ambitious endeavor began on October 13 at Pigeon Point and is expected to conclude on the morning of October 15. Procope’s journey is divided into two distinct phases: the first half in the relatively calm Caribbean Sea and the second half in the more turbulent Atlantic Ocean, which poses significant physical and mental challenges. On October 14, Procope took a brief pause at Blue Waters Inn in Speyside to express his gratitude to his supporters. Treading water, he thanked his family, friends, and crew for their unwavering encouragement and assistance. His support team includes two fellow swimmers, Jacob Cox and William Carr, who accompany him for portions of the swim, as well as a support vessel and a kayaker providing essential supplies. This is not Procope’s first attempt at such a daunting feat. In October 2024, he successfully swam from Tobago to Trinidad in approximately 25 hours, showcasing his remarkable endurance and commitment to pushing the boundaries of human capability.
-
BACK ON TOP!
The Jamaican national football team, affectionately known as the Reggae Boyz, have taken a significant step towards securing a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a commanding 4-0 victory over Bermuda in the Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers. The match, held at the National Stadium on Tuesday, saw goals from Bobby Reid, Shamar Nicholson, Dujuan ‘Whisper’ Richards, and an own goal from Bermuda’s captain Dante Leverock. This win not only mirrored their earlier 4-0 triumph over Bermuda in September but also marked their third consecutive victory in the campaign, bringing their total goals scored to 10. The result was further sweetened by Curacao’s 1-1 draw with Trinidad and Tobago (T&T), allowing Jamaica to reclaim the top spot in Group B with nine points, one ahead of Curacao. With only the group winner guaranteed a place in the 2026 World Cup, Jamaica now control their destiny as they prepare for their final two matches against T&T and Curacao in November. T&T, despite their recent draw, remain in contention with five points, while Bermuda have been eliminated from the race after losing all four of their matches. The Reggae Boyz displayed their dominance with over 70% possession and nearly 30 shots, bouncing back from a 2-0 defeat to Curacao last Friday. Midfielder Kasey Palmer, who missed the previous game, set the tone with a free kick that led to Leverock’s own goal in the 24th minute. Reid, Nicholson, and Richards added to the tally, with Richards’ electrifying performance off the bench showcasing his potential. Jamaica’s next match against T&T on November 13 will be crucial, followed by a potentially decisive clash with Curacao on November 18 at the National Stadium.
-
West Indies skipper Chase: If we’re going to lose, let’s lose with dignity
In a hard-fought second Test against India at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, the West Indies showcased a resilient second-innings performance, despite ultimately succumbing to a seven-wicket defeat on October 14, 2025. After being asked to follow-on, the Caribbean side posted a commendable 390 runs, driven by opener John Campbell’s maiden Test century (115) and Shai Hope’s third Test ton (103). Their 177-run partnership marked the highest third-wicket stand for the West Indies in Tests this year. A late surge from Justin Greaves (50 not out) and Jayden Seales (32) extended the lead, but India comfortably chased down the 121-run target, with KL Rahul sealing the win with an unbeaten 58. Despite the loss, West Indies Test captain Roston Chase praised his team’s fighting spirit, highlighting it as a crucial step forward for future success. Chase emphasized the need for consistency, particularly in batting, which has been the team’s Achilles heel. He expressed optimism about the team’s ability to compete against stronger opponents in the upcoming World Test Championship cycle, including Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The West Indies’ recent struggles, including a historic low of 27 all-out against Australia earlier this year, have prompted introspection and a renewed focus on improvement. With a challenging tour of Bangladesh next, Chase hopes the team’s resilience in Delhi will translate into more competitive performances and a positive dressing room atmosphere.