The world’s top athletes don’t just dominate on the
field—they lead the way financially, too.
From football icons to basketball superstars, these
elite performers are earning staggering sums through salaries, endorsements,
and off-field ventures.
Using data from Sportico, sportsunlimitednews breaks
down the top 10 highest-paid athletes globally.
10. Jon Rahm
On December 2023, Jon Rahm announced he was joining
LIV Golf after a very successful stint at the PGA, earning 11 PGA Tour wins
since joining in 2016. Now signed under LIV Golf, the Spaniard is considered
one of the best-paid athletes in the world, accumulating $85.6 (€82.3/£68.55)
million in winnings and $20 (€19.2/£16) million on endorsement deals
9. Kylian Mbappe
Following his massive transfer to Real Madrid in 2024,
Kylian Mbappe is now ranked the 9th highest-paid athlete in the world. The
French forward earns $85 (€81.6/£68.9) million in salary and $25 (€24/£20)
million in endorsements, totalling $110 (€105/£88) million—a ‘galactico’ price
tag for one of the best players in the world.
8. Karim Benzema
Another former Real Madrid star, Karim Benzema is
ranked amongst the top ten best-paid athletes in the world following his move
to Al-Ittihad (Saudi Arabia). The French striker earns $108 (€103/£86.4)
million alongside $8 (€7.6/£6.4) million in endorsements.
7. Oleksandr Usyk
Up next, we have an undisputed heavyweight champion,
who took down Tyson Fury for a second time in 2024. Oleksandr Usyk is arguably
one of the best fighters in the world right now, and his earnings reflect that.
The Ukrainian makes an average of $120 (€115/£96) million in winnings alongside
$2 (€1.9/£1.6) million on endorsements, standing on $122 (€117/£97.7) million.
6. Neymar Jr.
Neymar Jr. is in the final stages of his professional
football career. The former Barcelona and PSG man has enjoyed a successful
stint across multiple teams around the world. Now in Santos FC, the Brazilian
star is still considered one of the highest-paid players in the world, earning
a $108 (€103/£82) million salary and $25 (€24/£20) million in endorsements.
5. LeBron James
The Los Angeles Lakers veteran and NBA star is ranked
fifth in the world following his jaw-dropping $85 (€81.6/£68.3) million
endorsement deals with Coca-Cola and PepsiCo. Alongside his endorsements, he
cashes in a salary of $48.2 (€46.3/£38.6) million a year.
4. Lionel Messi
The Inter Miami star has one of the most lucrative
contracts in world football. The Argentinian forward earns $60 (€57.6/£48)
million a year, alongside $75 (€72/£60) million on endorsement deals. He is
linked to Louis Vuitton, Mastercard and Pepsi.
3. Tyson Fury
The ‘Gypsie King’ is ranked third in the world,
despite his recent losses and retirement announcement in late 2024. Fury cashed
in $140 (€134.4/£112) million in winnings alongside $7 (€6.7/£5.6) million in
endorsement deals, a very fruitful 2024 for the former British heavyweight
champ.
2. Stephen Curry
Stephen Curry can still boast of having the
highest-paying salary in the NBA for the eighth straight year. According to
ESPN, his Golden State deal is worth around $55 (€52/£41.2) million this
season. On top of that, the American point guard earns $100 (€95/£79.9) million
in endorsements.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo still ranks at the top as the
best-paid athlete in the world. The Al-Nassr star earns a jaw-dropping $215
(€206/£171.9) million salary, alongside $45 (€43.1/£35.9) in endorsements from
Armani, Herbalife, TAG Heuer, and Clear Shampoo.
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