Highest Paid Athletes by Total Income
The latest Forbes list of the top earning athletes shows Cristiano Ronaldo leading with an estimated $275 million in total earnings, driven by his salary at Al Nassr and a large portfolio of endorsement deals. Lionel Messi follows closely with around $130 million, combining his MLS contract with Inter Miami and global brand partnerships. These figures include salary, bonuses, and off-field income, and are based on the most recent public reporting from Forbes and the athletes' teams. The ranking is updated annually as contracts and sponsorship deals change, and the full methodology is available on the Forbes athlete earnings page.
Canelo Alvarez, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo rank among the top earners thanks to a mix of guaranteed contracts and long term brand deals. Their income streams include base salary, win bonuses, equity stakes in companies, and licensing fees for their name and image. For example, Ronaldo's deal with Al Nassr is reported to be one of the largest in football history, while Messi's Inter Miami contract includes significant commercial rights. These athletes also earn from media appearances, personal brands, and investments in startups and consumer products.
Top Earning Athletes by Sport
In basketball, the highest paid athlete is typically Stephen Curry, whose contract with the Golden State Warriors and off-court ventures with Under Armour and other brands push his total income above $150 million. In American football, Patrick Mahomes leads with a record extension with the Kansas City Chiefs that includes massive incentives and off-field earnings through his partnership with the Kansas City Royals and several consumer brands. In soccer, Ronaldo and Messi dominate the top of the list, while in boxing and MMA, Canelo Alvarez and Conor McGregor continue to earn large purses and pay-per-view shares. These rankings are based on publicly reported contracts and Forbes estimates of total income, including salary, bonuses, and endorsements.
In baseball, Shohei Ohtani stands out as one of the top earners thanks to his historic contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers and his role as a two-way player, which increases his visibility and marketability. In golf, the top earners are players who combine PGA Tour winnings with major sponsorship deals from companies like Rolex, TaylorMade, and Nike. In tennis, Carlos Alcaraz and Coco Gauff are among the highest paid thanks to Grand Slam success and new generation sponsorship deals. In motorsport, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen earn from race winnings and long term partnerships with brands like Tommy Hilfiger and Red Bull, while in soccer, Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior are also among the top earners in Europe.
How Athletes Earn Beyond Their Salary
Top earning athletes build wealth through a mix of guaranteed contracts, performance bonuses, equity stakes, and long term endorsement deals. Many sign multiyear contracts with clubs or teams that include escalators tied to wins, appearances, and media reach. Off the field, they earn from licensing their name and image, launching personal brands, and investing in startups, real estate, and consumer companies. Some athletes also earn from media rights, podcast deals, and equity in sports and entertainment ventures, which can grow in value over time.
Companies like Nike, Adidas, Gatorade, and Red Bull pay top athletes to represent their brands, often tying compensation to performance milestones and social media reach. For example, Ronaldo's long term deal with Nike and his CR7 brand generate income from apparel, fragrances, and hotels, while Messi's partnership with Adidas and other brands focuses on global consumer products. Athletes also earn from appearances, content creation, and business ventures outside sports, such as restaurants, fitness brands, and technology investments. These income streams are often structured through holding companies and trusts to manage taxes, risk, and long term wealth, as explained in SEC filings and financial reports from major sports leagues.