Ronaldo is highest paid athlete in the world ahead of Messi and LeBron

The most remarkable thing about the list is the age of many of the top ten. Ronaldo is 40; Curry is 37; Fury is 36; Messi is 37; LeBron is 40; Benzema is 37.

This is clearly not a talent contest. The three soccer players in the top ten are well past their prime but are benefitting financially from their lucrative moves to the Saudi Pro League, and in Messi's case the MLS. 

Benzema's case is especially indicative of the absurd sums of money the Saudi's are shelling out for players in the twilight of their career. Younger readers of this can be forgiven for saying "Karim Who"?

Kylian Mbappé is the only young soccer play to make the top-20 and the only one from a European league. And even he's not considered a contender for the coveted Ballon d'Or award given to the best player in the world.

That trophy is likely to go to PSG's Ousmane Dembele (28) or one of Barcelona's star men Raphinha (28) or Lamine Yamal (17).

Related: Yamal shines as Messi & Ronaldo stumble

If Yamal keeps up his extraordinary trajectory, it surely won't be long before his name appears on the list. But what it demonstrates is that players are more than their current talent; they are a brand.

They are names that sell merchandise and make headlines on an almost daily basis. Their influence off the pitch is greater now than their influence on it.

Related: Kylian Mbappé is making Real Madrid worse