Who Is the Highest Paid Athlete Based on the Latest Public Data
The most recent Forbes and Sportico rankings place Cristiano Ronaldo at the top of the highest paid athlete list, ahead of Lionel Messi, with total earnings driven by salary, bonuses, and off-field income. These reports combine public contract figures with estimated endorsement and business revenue for the latest completed reporting year, using data from teams, leagues, sponsors, and public filings.
Ronaldo's earnings reflect his move to Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, where his reported contract includes a large guaranteed salary plus performance incentives, supplemented by global deals with brands such as Nike, Herbalife, and CR7 enterprises. The Forbes and Sportico methodology adds estimated off-field income from endorsements, appearances, media rights, and business ventures, then ranks athletes by total pretax income before agents and managers.
How Athlete Earnings Are Calculated in the Latest Reports
Forbes and Sportico compile base salary and guaranteed bonuses from team contracts, league minimums, and collective bargaining agreements, then add estimated endorsement income from brand partnerships and licensing deals. They also include revenue from businesses, investments, and media appearances, using public filings, sponsor disclosures, league salary caps, and interviews with agents and team executives.
The reports separate active competition income from off-field earnings, showing how athletes like Ronaldo and Messi earn large sums from leagues outside the top European markets while also monetizing social media followings and personal brands. Forbes and Sportico update these figures annually, comparing salary, guaranteed money, and estimated endorsement income across sports and leagues to create a single total earnings ranking.
Top Earning Athletes in the Latest Rankings
Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo leads the latest Forbes and Sportico athlete earnings list with a reported contract at Al Nassr, global endorsements, and income from his CR7 brand, hotels, and fashion lines. His total pretax income reflects a large base salary, performance bonuses, and estimated endorsement revenue from Nike, Herbalife, and other partners.
Lionel Messi
Messi ranks second in the latest Forbes and Sportico rankings, with income from his MLS contract, international deals, and long-term endorsements with Adidas and other brands. His earnings include salary, bonuses, and estimated off-field revenue from media appearances, licensing, and business investments.
Other Top Earners
Other high earners in the latest rankings include LeBron James, Cristiano Ronaldo's peers in basketball and soccer, and top athletes from the NFL, NBA, and global soccer leagues, with total income driven by contracts, endorsements, and business ventures reported by Forbes and Sportico.
Key Income Sources
For most top athletes, income comes from guaranteed salary and bonuses, endorsement contracts, appearance fees, media rights, and ownership stakes in businesses and sports teams, as detailed in Forbes and Sportico reports.
Why These Figures Matter
These rankings help fans, sponsors, and investors understand how athletes convert on-field performance and public reach into large earnings, with Forbes and Sportico providing the most widely cited public data on athlete income.