Forbes has named Cristiano Ronaldo the world’s highest-paid athlete for the third consecutive year. This marks the fifth time in his career that he has claimed the top spot on the annual list.
The Portuguese football star earned an estimated $275 million over the past year. A significant portion of that income came after his move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr.
Ronaldo generated approximately $15 million through sponsorships and brand deals off the field, partly due to his massive global reach. As of May, he had 939 million followers across major social media platforms combined.
Ronaldo’s influence extends far beyond the football pitch. With one of the largest personal brands in sports, he partners with global companies across fashion, fitness, health, and technology.
His name frequently appears in marketing campaigns, and his presence often boosts ticket sales, streaming numbers, and merchandise revenue wherever he plays. His continued ability to attract global attention has made him one of the most marketable athletes in history.
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry ranked second with $156 million. The NBA veteran became the first player to make 4,000 career three-point shots earlier this year, adding to his popularity and earning power through endorsements and salary.
THE WORLD’S HIGHEST-PAID ATHLETES (via Forbes)
Total: Salary + Endorsements1.
Cristiano Ronaldo – $275M
2.Stephen Curry – $156M
3.Tyson Fury – $146M
4.
5.Lionel Messi – $135M
6.
7.
8.Karim Benzema… pic.twitter.com/o4hbeARy6j
— Cata Paul (@CataPaul2) May 15, 2025
Boxer Tyson Fury followed in third with $146 million. Despite losing his heavyweight titles to Oleksandr Usyk in December, Fury’s earnings were supported by his reality series on Netflix and a promotional partnership with Malta’s tourism board.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott earned $137 million to earn fourth place on the list. A record-breaking signing bonus and a major contract extension drove his income.
Lionel Messi, who joined Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami last year, took fifth with $135 million. The Argentine legend continues to secure high-profile endorsement deals with companies like Adidas and Apple.
LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers ranked sixth with $133.8 million. James is nearing the end of his historic NBA career, but he remains a top earner through a mix of on-court salary and business ventures.
Seventh on the list is New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto, who earned $114 million. The 26-year-old signed a landmark 15-year deal worth $765 million—the largest contract in baseball history. French striker Karim Benzema, now playing for Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabia, claimed eighth place with $104 million.
Shohei Ohtani, a standout for the Los Angeles Dodgers, ranked ninth with $102.5 million. While much of his massive contract is deferred, his income rose following the Dodgers’ World Series win last year.
Rounding out the top ten is Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant, with total earnings of $101.4 million. Forbes’ list measures total income from salaries, bonuses, prize money, endorsements, and media deals over the past year.
