Top 10 Richest Sportsmen of All Time
The list of the top 10 richest sportsmen of all time is led by figures whose earnings span playing careers, ownership stakes, and large business empires. These athletes built fortunes through contracts, endorsements, and investments in companies, real estate, and media. The rankings use the newest publicly available net worth estimates from Forbes and similar trackers, focusing on verified assets, equity, and cash. Each entry below shows the sport, main wealth sources, and the role of companies and deals in building their net worth.
How These Athletes Built Their Fortunes
For many of the richest sportsmen, playing salaries and bonuses provided the first large capital base, but ownership and business roles expanded their wealth afterward. Common paths include equity in sports teams, venture investments, media and streaming platforms, and consumer brands in apparel, energy, and technology. Several athletes also use holding structures and private equity vehicles to manage stakes in startups and mature companies. These business moves often generate returns that exceed their on-field earnings over time.
Key Figures and Net Worth Highlights
1. Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi, a soccer forward, is among the top 10 richest sportsmen of all time, with wealth built through long-term contracts, endorsements, and business ventures. His deals with major brands and equity in companies across Europe and the United States form a large part of his net worth, as noted in recent Forbes estimates https://www.forbes.com/athletes/. Messi also holds stakes in media and tech-focused investment vehicles that broaden his portfolio beyond playing income.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo, a soccer forward, ranks near the top of the top 10 richest sportsmen of all time due to high-value contracts and a large portfolio of brand partnerships. He has equity in hotels, fashion lines, and digital media companies, and he has invested in clubs and startups in Europe and the United States https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2024/09/10/how-cristiano-ronaldo-built-his-billion-dollar-empire/. His business model relies on global licensing, content platforms, and ownership stakes that generate ongoing revenue.
3. Conor McGregor
Conor McGregor, a mixed martial artist, built one of the largest fortunes in combat sports through UFC fight purses and a wave of endorsements and business projects. He founded Proper Twelve whiskey and later sold a majority stake to a spirits company, using the proceeds to fund other ventures and investments https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2024/09/10/how-conor-mcgregor-built-his-fortune/. His wealth reflects a mix of fight earnings, brand equity, and portfolio investments across consumer goods and media.
4. Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi, a soccer forward, is among the top 10 richest sportsmen of all time, with wealth built through long-term contracts, endorsements, and business ventures. His deals with major brands and equity in companies across Europe and the United States form a large part of his net worth, as noted in recent Forbes estimates https://www.forbes.com/athletes