Top 10 Highest Paid Athletes in the World 2025

Cristiano Ronaldo leads the list of the highest paid in the world among others earning $285 million. Followed by Jon Rahm, Lionel Messi, LeBron James.

Top 10 Highest Paid Athletes in the World

Cristiano Ronaldo is the highest paid athletes and the world’s highest paid soccer player. He is the most followed person on social media with over 1 billion followers. On 5 February 2025 he turns 40 years old but he is showing no sign of slowing down. He maintains a superior level of conditioning and performance, allowing them to command salaries and endorsement.

Here are the list of top 10 Highest Paid Athletes in the World.

Rank	Name	Sport	Total Earnings	On Field Earnings	Off Field Earnings
1	Cristiano Ronaldo	Soccer	$285 M	$220 M	$85 M
2	Jon Rahm	Golf	$218 M	$198 M	$20 M
3	Lionel Messi	Soccer	$135 M	$60 M	$75 M
4	LeBron James	Basketball	$128.2 M	$48.2 M	$80 M
5	Giannis Antetokounmpo	Basketball	$93.8 M	$48.8 M	$45 M
6	Kylian Mbappé	Soccer	$90 M	$70 M	$20 M
7	Neymar	Soccer	$110 M	$80 M	$30 M
8	Karim Benzema	Soccer	$104 M	$100 M	$4 M
9	Stephen Curry	Basketball	$105.8 M	$55.8 M	$50 M
10	Lamar Jackson	Football	$100.5 M	$98.5 M	$2 M

List of Highest Paid Athletes in the World

1. Cristiano Ronaldo ($285 M)

Cristiano Ronaldo is the highest paid athletes in the world with a total earning of $ 285 million. Ronaldo play soccer for AI Nassar in Saudi Arabia and earns yearly 220 million as per the latest Forbes report. $65 M of field through endorsement with brands like lifetime deal with Nike, his own CR7 branded clothing, accessories, hotels and gyms.

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2. Jon Rahm ($218 M)

Jon Rahm is a professional golfer. He is the world’s highest paid golfer earner and second rank in the highest paid athletes in the world. His earning come from Golf playing of $198M and 20 million from endorsement. John Graham is the captain of LIV Golf team Legion XIII.

3. Lionel Messi ($135 M)

Lionel Messi ranks the third highest paid athletes in the world with a total earning of $135 million. He takes winning of $60M for Major league soccer team inter Miami. As per Forbes he holds $75M endorsement with company such as Adidas, Apple, is the second world highest paid soccer player.

4. LeBron James ($128.7 M)

LeBron James is the first NBA player to become billionaire. As per Forbes 2025 he earned $1.2 B. He is the highest paid NBA player as of Forbes 2024. LeBron earns on 48.7 million on the court member of Los Angeles Lakers and of the field he earns $80 M including companies Nike, Pepsico, Beats electronic.

5. Giannis Antetokounmpo ($93.8 M)

Giannis Antetokounmpo is the Nigerian Greek professional basketball player for Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association (NBA) earned 93.8 million in 2024. Comprising $ 48.8 million from on the field earning and 45 million from of the field in endorsement he has partnerships with companies including Amazon, Meta, Google, Pepsico and more.

6. Kylian Mbappé ($90 M)

Kylian Mbappé is the French soccer, earned $ 90 million in 2024. He earn $70 million from playing on Real Madid and have $20M of endorsement.

7. Neymar ($ 110 M)

Neymar regarded as the best Brazilian professional footballer with total earning $110 M. He is the seventh Highest Paid Athletes in the World. Earning $80 M the filled with Saudi Arabian team Al Hital with $ 30, of field endorsement and sponsorship. Neymar is the third highest paid soccer player in the world and has partnership with brand including Epic games, Puma Red Bull.

8. Karim Benzema ($ 104 M)

Karim Benzema is a French professional footballer earned a total of $ 104 million. He earns $ 100 million from on the field and $4 million from endorsement. Benjama sponsor with Adidas.

9. Stephen Curry ($105.8 M)

Stephen curry is four time NBA champion, earned a total of $ 105.8M on field earning of 55.8M and endorsement of $ 50M.

10. Lamar Jacson ($100.5 M)

Lamar Jackson is an American Professional footballer quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens of National Football League. He is the top 10 Highest Paid Athletes in the World with $ 100.5M. He is earning $98.5M from on the field and of the field $2 million.

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