Forbes' 2025 ranking of the world's highest-paid athletes

 

Cristiano Ronaldo tops Forbes' list of highest-paid athletes for third year in a row

Cristiano Ronaldo has secured the top spot on Forbes' list of the world's highest-paid athletes for the third straight year in 2025, his fifth time overall. Forbes estimates Ronaldo earned $275 million from May 1, 2023, to May 1, 2024, before taxes and agent fees, including $225 million from his Al-Nassr salary in the Saudi Pro League and $50 million from endorsements and business ventures, fueled by his 939 million social media followers. His earnings rank as the third-highest annual total for an active athlete in Forbes’ records, behind only Floyd Mayweather’s $300 million (2015) and $285 million (2018). Ronaldo’s 2022 move to Al-Nassr has significantly increased his income, with his on-field earnings alone outpacing most athletes’ totals. Based on Forbes' 2025 ranking of the world's highest-paid athletes, covering earnings from May 1, 2024, to May 1, 2025, here are the top 10, with total earnings (including on-field salaries, bonuses, prize money, and off-field endorsements and business ventures) before taxes and agent fees:

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Soccer) - $275 million On-field: $225 million (Al-Nassr, Saudi Pro League) Off-field: $50 million (Nike, Binance, Herbalife, etc.)

2. Stephen Curry (Basketball) - $156 million On-field: $56 million (Golden State Warriors) Off-field: $100 million (Under Armour, media ventures)

3. Tyson Fury (Boxing) - $146 million On-field: $136 million (fights, including in Riyadh) Off-field: $10 million (sponsorships)

4. Dak Prescott (Football) - $137 million On-field: $125 million (Dallas Cowboys contract) Off-field: $12 million (endorsements)

5. Lionel Messi (Soccer) - $135 million On-field: $60 million (Inter Miami, MLS) Off-field: $75 million (Adidas, Apple, Konami, etc.)

6. LeBron James (Basketball) - $133.8 million On-field: $53.8 million (Los Angeles Lakers) Off-field: $80 million (Nike, SpringHill Company, etc.)

7. Juan Soto (Baseball) - $114 million On-field: $103 million (New York Mets contract) Off-field: $11 million (endorsements)

8. Karim Benzema (Soccer) - $104 million On-field: $98 million (Al-Ittihad, Saudi Pro League) Off-field: $6 million (EA Sports, Adidas, Hyundai)

9. Shohei Ohtani (Baseball) - $102.5 million On-field: $2.5 million (Los Angeles Dodgers, deferred contract) Off-field: $100 million (endorsements, memorabilia)

10. Lamar Jackson (Football) - $101.5 million On-field: $99.5 million (Baltimore Ravens contract) Off-field: $2 million (Oakley, StatusPro, Era 8 brand)