Forbes World’s Highest Paid Athletes: Ronaldo, Messi Among Top Three

Famous footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has topped first in Forbes list of world’s highest paid athletes, while Lionel Messi fell to third. Spanish golfer Jon Rahm has secured second spot, making him one among two athletes surpass alongside Ronaldo. The Portugese striker became first in the last year also, with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe securing second and third position respectively. Notably, this year, no women athletes have held a position among first 50 ranks.

Leading on top for the fourth time in his career, Forbes estimates the total earning of 39-year-old Portugal forward is approximately $260 million in the past 12 months. This is all-time high for a soccer player. This total is attributed to his massive $200 million annual salary with Al-Nassar club. While on-field revenue grown across $200 million, off the field has estimated nearly $60 million from sponsors and frequent partnerships, including deals with Nike, Herbalife, Clear Haircare and more recently, Whoop. Last year, Ronaldo also received $10.5 million check from his former club Juventus. In 2023, Ronaldo retched up his annual earning to $136 million total.

Spaniard golfer Jon Rahm has earned $198 million in total last year, following his decision to join LIV Golf on last December, made his earnings enormously lucrative. The LIV check made good enough to Rahm, making his rankings, from 28th in 2023, to second spot this year. Jon has already earned $6.6 million from seven tournaments in 2024, which would place him on the sixth on PGA Tour’s official money list this season.

Argentinian footballer Lionel Messi has raised up his revenue $135 million total, dividing $65 million from on-field and $70 million off-field. Following a shift from Paris Saint German (PSG) to Saudi Club, Inter Miami, has created a lucrative investments for both Messi and club. Inter Miami has juiced ticket sales, staged a groundbreaking preseason tour and added a slew of lucrative sponsorships. The club expects to grow revenue to more than $200 million this year which was $118 million in 2023. Off the field, Messi have a group of sponsorships includes Adidas, Apple and Konami. He also reportedly partnering with Hard Seltzer to launch his own sports drink on this year. Deals with Socios, a blockchain based fan platform, alone pays him approximately $20 million every year.

Following to Ronaldo and Messi, 39-year old basket ball player from US, LeBron James has secured the fourth position and Greek international Giannis Antetokounmpo placed on the fifth.

Forbes world list has marked ten sport stars have earned more than $100 million each, combining $1.38 billion total. Interestingly, five among the top ten has secured by footballers. Following Ronaldo and Messi, French International football player Kylian Mbappe has topped on sixth in the list. Notably, this is far more than anyone in his age (or younger) earned last year. In 2022, Mbappe has formed a production company, which partnered with NBA and deals with Nike, Hublot and Oakley.

Five of the top 50 rankings are 25 or younger, collecting combined $319 million in last 12 months, including $250.5 from their playing salaries and bonuses. In 2023, Mbappe was in third on the world ranking list.

Brazilian mid fielder Neymar has made a sixth position with $108 million total. Since a injury in October, Al Hilal player has signed new endorsement deals with Skims and has launched a new soccer boot with puma and partnered with fun brands. Karim Benzema, a Ballon d’Or winner in 2022, is another footballer held a position in the top ten list. American athletes Stephen Curry and Lamar Jackson is hold the ninth and tenth positions, respectively.

In the world list, Forbes have tracked the income earned between May 1, 2023 and May 1, 2024, based on conversations with dozens of industry insiders. It also consulted news reports and salary databases. The off field earnings are featured by estimate of sponsorship deals, appearance fees and memorabilia, licensing income for past 12 months and cash returns from any businesses. On field earnings include prize money, salaries, and bonuses.