Cristiano Ronaldo was on Monday named the world’s richest footballer after topping the annual list of players’ net worth compiled by football website Goal.com.

The Real Madrid forward held off Barcelona rival Lionel Messi in the Goal Rich List 2014 with an estimated wealth of 148 million euros.

Ronaldo has enjoyed a remarkable 12 months in which his value to club and country has shot skywards.

He scored all four goals as Portugal beat Sweden in the World Cup play-offs, landed the 2013 Ballon d’Or and signed a record-breaking new five-year deal with Madrid.

Messi, who lost his Ballon d’Or crown to Ronaldo in January, came in second after inspiring Barcelona to the Spanish title and signing up for a range of lucrative endorsements. The Goal Rich List is collated by a team of analysts.

The List (amounts in euros): Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) 148 mn 1; Lionel Messi (Barcelona) 146 mn 2; Samuel Eto'o (Chelsea) 85 mn 3; Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) 84 mn 4; Kaka (AC Milan) 82 mn 5.