Cristiano Ronaldo leads the Forbes list for the world’s 50 highest-paid athletes according to the annual 2025 list published by business magazine on Thursday.
According to the report, which looked at the income earned between May 1, 2024, and May 1, 2025, the top 50 earners collected a record-breaking USD 4.23 billion, beating the high of USD 3.88 billion set last year.
Ronaldo, who plays for Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr, had a total earnings of USD 275 million this year. Meanwhile, Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi sits fifth in the rankings, with USD 135 million.
Notably, there is no female athlete who has made the cut, with American tennis player Coco Gauff coming close, but missing out by USD 19.2 million. Additionally, no Indian athlete made the list.
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Combined, this year’s 50 top earners collected an estimated $4.23 billion, demolishing the previous high of $3.88 billion set just last year.
TOP TEN HIGHEST PAID ATHLETES
- 1 – Cristiano Ronaldo (Football) – USD 275 million
- 2 – Stephen Curry (Basketball)- USD 156 million
- 3 – Tyson Fury (Boxing) – USD 146 million
- 4 – Dak Prescott (NFL)- USD 137 million
- 5 – Lionel Messi (Football) – USD 135 million
- 6 – LeBron James (Basketball)- USD 133.8 million
- 7 – Juan Soto (Baseball)- USD 114 million
- 8 – Karim Benzema (Football) – USD 104 million
- 9 – Shohei Ohtani (Baseball)- USD 102.5 million
- 10 – Kevin Durant (Basketball)- USD 101.4 million
