Cristiano Ronaldo topped the list as the highest-paid athlete, earning $260 million, following him, golf player Jon Rahm secured the second spot with $218 million, while Lionel Messi took the third position with $135 million.
According to Forbes, over the past eight years, Cristiano Ronaldo’s journey as the world’s highest-paid athlete has been nothing short of a captivating saga. From his awe-inspiring performances at the Bernabéu with Real Madrid to his stints with Juventus and Manchester United, and now at Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, Ronaldo’s career has been a whirlwind of change and triumph. Through it all, one constant has shone brightly—his ability to command remarkable paydays.
In the last 12 months alone, Ronaldo’s earnings soared to an estimated $260 million, reaffirming his status as the highest-paid athlete in the world for the fourth time. His story is not just one of athletic prowess, but also a testament to his enduring appeal and unparalleled success on and off the field.
Jon Rahm, a Spanish golfer occupied the second spot after joining the upstart league in December.
Rahm, is among the 22 athletes under the age of 30 on the list, indicating a potential shift in the sporting landscape. Established figures like Serena Williams, Roger Federer, and Tom Brady have retired, while athletes like Cristiano Ronaldo, LeBron James, Tiger Woods, and three others aged 39 or older, may soon follow suit.
Lionel Messi’s earnings in Major League Soccer surpass those of at least 25 entire MLS rosters. In a recent report by the MLS Players’ Association, it was disclosed that Inter Miami’s 2024 payroll, where Messi plays, is the highest in the league’s history. Including off-field earnings, Messi is estimated to have made around $135 million over the past 12 months.
Also, Kylian Mbappé is the highest earning athlete under 25, raking in a staggering $110 million annually, followed closely by Erling Haaland with $61 million. Luka Doncic took the third spot with $55.1 million in earnings in the under 25 category.
The 25-year-old Mbappé’s future remains uncertain, with rumors swirling about a potential move to Real Madrid after Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League loss.
Despite the speculation, Mbappé’s earnings from his contract and endorsements, including deals with Nike, Oakley, and Hublot, make him the sixth highest-paid athlete globally.
The 23-year-old Haaland’s historic season with Manchester City earned him lucrative deals, including a massive Nike contract and endorsements from Dolce & Gabbana and Beats By Dre. Meanwhile, Doncic, with his production company and endorsements with Nike’s Jordan Brand, Panini, and the Slovenian Tourism Board, solidifies his position as a top earner.
The list reflects a trend of younger athletes entering the top earners’ ranks, with players like Trae Young and Zion Williamson making their debuts.
Young’s supermax extension and off-court ventures, including a podcast and ownership stake in a Major League Pickleball team, contribute to his $47.3 million earnings.
Williamson’s future earnings are tied to his health, with a significant Instagram following and endorsements with Gatorade, Mountain Dew, and Nike’s Jordan Brand boosting his $46.1 million earnings.
This shift towards younger top earners is notable, with the average age of the top 50 athletes dropping to just over 31 years old.
It reflected changes in contract rules in leagues like the NBA and NFL, allowing more players to cash in at a younger age.
Full List:
1. Cristiano Ronaldo, Football – $260 M
2. Jon Rahm, Golf-$218 M
3. Lionel Messi, Football -$135 M
4. LeBron James, Basketball – $128.2 M
5. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Basketball – $111 M
6. Kylian Mbappe, Football – $110 M
7. Neymar Jr, Football -$108 M
8. Karim Benzema, Football – $106 M
9. Stephen Curry, Basketball – $102 M
10. Lamar Jackson, Football – $100.5 M
11. Joe Burrow, Football – $100 M
12. Kevin Durant, Basketball – $93.3 M
13. Shohei Ohtani, Baseball – $85.3 M
14. Canelo Alvarez, Boxing – $85 M
15. Patrick Mahomes, Football – $84.4 M
16. Anthony Joshua, Boxing – $83 M
17. Max Verstappen, Auto Racing – $81 M
18. Aaron Rodgers, Football – $80.8 M
19. Rory McIlroy, Golf – $80.1 M
20. Justin Herbert, Football – $78.7 M
21. Lewis Hamilton, Auto Racing – $69 M
22. Nick Bosa Football – $68 M
23. Tiger Woods, Golf – $67.2 M
24. Kirk Cousins, Football – $62.5 M
25. Klay Thompson, Basketball – $62.3 M
26. Damian Lillard, Basketball – $61.9 M
27, Erling Haaland, Football – $61 M
28. Max Scherzer, Baseball – $59.9 M
29. Scottie Scheffler, Golf – $59.2 M
30. Joel Embiid, Basketball – $57.7 M
31. Jimmy Butler, Basketball – $57.5 M
32. Nikola Jokic, Basketball – $56.1 M
33.James Harden, Basketball – $55.8 M
34, Luka Doncic, Basketball – $55.1 M
35, Bradley Beal, Basketball – $54.3 M
36. Chris Jones, Football – $54.1 M
37. Kawhi Leonard, Basketball – $53.7 M
38. Mohamed Salah, Football – $53 M
39. Paul George, Basketball – $52.7 M
40. Sadio Mane, Football – $52 M
41, Brian Burns, Football – $51.7 M
42. Tyson Fury , Boxing – $50 M
43. Cameron Smith, Golf – $48 M
44. Trae Young, Basketball – $47.3 M
45. Deshaun Watson, Football – $47 M
46. Rashan Gary, Football – $46.8 M
47. Anthony Davis, Basketball – $46.2 M
48. Zion Williamson,Basketball – $46.1 M
49. Jayson Tatum, Basketball – $45.9 M
50. Devin Booker, Basketball – $45.2 M
