Cristiano Ronaldo, at 39, has once again topped Forbes’ list of highest-paid athletes, marking the fourth time in his illustrious career. This achievement follows his high-profile move to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, which has significantly boosted his earnings.
Forbes estimates Ronaldo’s total earnings to be around $260 million, setting a new record for a football player. His on-field earnings are reported to be $200 million, while his off-field earnings amount to $60 million, largely driven by his extensive sponsorship deals. Brands capitalize on Ronaldo’s massive social media presence, particularly his 629 million Instagram followers, making him a highly lucrative endorsement partner.
Spanish golfer Jon Rahm has ascended to second place on the list following his sensational switch to the Saudi-backed LIV Golf. The 29-year-old, currently ranked fifth in the world, joined LIV Golf in December in a move that reverberated throughout the sport. Media reports indicate that Rahm’s contract guarantees him at least $300 million. In addition to this, Rahm has earned $218 million, placing him alongside Ronaldo as one of the only two athletes to surpass the $200 million earnings mark this year.
Lionel Messi, the record eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, is third on the list. Messi’s lucrative move to Major League Soccer (MLS) side Inter Miami has significantly bolstered his earnings, totaling $135 million. Of this, $65 million comes from his on-field activities, while $70 million is generated off-field through endorsements with major sponsors like Adidas and Apple.
In fourth place is Los Angeles Lakers’ forward LeBron James, who has amassed $128.2 million. Despite nearing the end of his NBA career, the 39-year-old continues to break records, recently becoming the first NBA player to score 40,000 career points. James is also gearing up for one final attempt at Olympic glory.
NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks rounds out the top five with $111 million. Following closely is France’s football captain Kylian Mbappe at sixth, with earnings of $110 million. Mbappe has announced his departure from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) after seven successful years, during which he became the club’s all-time leading scorer. The 25-year-old is widely expected to join Spanish giants Real Madrid in the upcoming transfer window.
Former PSG star Neymar, who moved to the Saudi Pro League to join Al Hilal, is seventh on the list with $108 million, despite missing much of the season due to a torn ACL. French striker Karim Benzema, another star who transitioned to the Saudi league, is eighth with $106 million.
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry ranks ninth, earning $102 million. Completing the top ten is Lamar Jackson, the only NFL player on the list, with $100.5 million. Jackson’s earnings were significantly boosted by a substantial signing bonus from his new contract with the Baltimore Ravens last year.
These figures highlight the massive financial rewards available to elite athletes across various sports, driven by a combination of on-field performance and off-field commercial activities.
