This is a list of the highest-paid athletes in the world as ranked by Forbes magazine.
The 2024 list: [1]
Rank | Name | Sport | Country | Total | Salary/winnings | Endorsements |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Association football | Portugal | $260 million | $200 million | $60 million |
2 | Jon Rahm | Golf | Spain | $218 million | $198 million | $20 million |
3 | Lionel Messi | Association football | Argentina | $135 million | $65 million | $70 million |
4 | LeBron James | Basketball | United States | $128.2 million | $48.2 million | $80 million |
5 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | Basketball | Greece | $111 million | $46 million | $65 million |
6 | Kylian Mbappé | Association football | France | $110 million | $90 million | $20 million |
7 | Neymar | Association football | Brazil | $108 million | $80 million | $28 million |
8 | Karim Benzema | Association football | France | $106 million | $100 million | $6 million |
9 | Stephen Curry | Basketball | United States | $102 million | $52 million | $50 million |
10 | Lamar Jackson | American football | United States | $100.5 million | $98.5 million | $2 million |
The 2023 list: [2]
Rank | Name | Sport | Country | Total | Salary/winnings | Endorsements |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Association football | Portugal | $136 million | $46 million | $90 million |
2 | Lionel Messi | Association football | Argentina | $130 million | $65 million | $65 million |
3 | Kylian Mbappé | Association football | France | $120 million | $100 million | $20 million |
4 | LeBron James | Basketball | United States | $119.5 million | $44.5 million | $75 million |
5 | Canelo Álvarez | Boxing | Mexico | $110 million | $100 million | $10 million |
6 | Dustin Johnson | Golf | United States | $107 million | $102 million | $5 million |
7 | Phil Mickelson | Golf | United States | $106 million | $104 million | $2 million |
8 | Stephen Curry | Basketball | United States | $100.4 million | $48.4 million | $52 million |
9 | Roger Federer | Tennis | Switzerland | $95.1 million | $0.1 million | $95 million |
10 | Kevin Durant | Basketball | United States | $89.1 million | $44.1 million | $45 million |
The 2022 list: [3]
Rank | Name | Sport | Country | Total | Salary/winnings | Endorsements |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Lionel Messi | Association football | Argentina | $130 million | $75 million | $55 million |
2 | LeBron James | Basketball | United States | $121.2 million | $41.2 million | $80 million |
3 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Association football | Portugal | $115 million | $60 million | $55 million |
4 | Neymar | Association football | Brazil | $95 million | $70 million | $25 million |
5 | Stephen Curry | Basketball | United States | $92.8 million | $45.8 million | $47 million |
6 | Kevin Durant | Basketball | United States | $92.1 million | $42.1 million | $50 million |
7 | Roger Federer | Tennis | Switzerland | $90.7 million | $0.7 million | $90 million |
8 | Canelo Álvarez | Boxing | Mexico | $90 million | $85 million | $5 million |
9 | Tom Brady | American football | United States | $83.9 million | $31.9 million | $52 million |
10 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | Basketball | Greece | $80.9 million | $39.9 million | $41 million |
The 2021 list: [4]
Rank | Name | Sport | Country | Total | Salary/winnings | Endorsements |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Conor McGregor | Mixed martial arts | Republic of Ireland | $180 million | $22 million | $158 million |
2 | Lionel Messi | Association football | Argentina | $130 million | $97 million | $33 million |
3 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Association football | Portugal | $120 million | $70 million | $50 million |
4 | Dak Prescott | American football | United States | $107.5 million | $97.5 million | $10 million |
5 | LeBron James | Basketball | United States | $96.5 million | $31.5 million | $65 million |
6 | Neymar | Association football | Brazil | $95 million | $76 million | $19 million |
7 | Roger Federer | Tennis | Switzerland | $90 million | $0.03 million | $90 million |
8 | Lewis Hamilton | Auto racing | United Kingdom | $82 million | $70 million | $12 million |
9 | Tom Brady | American football | United States | $76 million | $45 million | $31 million |
10 | Kevin Durant | Basketball | United States | $75 million | $31 million | $44 million |
The 2020 list: [5]
Rank | Name | Sport | Country | Total | Salary/winnings | Endorsements |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Roger Federer | Tennis | Switzerland | $106.3 million | $6.3 million | $100 million |
2 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Association football | Portugal | $105 million | $60 million | $45 million |
3 | Lionel Messi | Association football | Argentina | $104 million | $72 million | $32 million |
4 | Neymar | Association football | Brazil | $95.5 million | $70.5 million | $25 million |
5 | LeBron James | Basketball | United States | $88.2 million | $28.2 million | $60 million |
6 | Stephen Curry | Basketball | United States | $74.4 million | $30.4 million | $44 million |
7 | Kevin Durant | Basketball | United States | $63.9 million | $28.9 million | $35 million |
8 | Tiger Woods | Golf | United States | $62.3 million | $2.3 million | $60 million |
9 | Kirk Cousins | American football | United States | $60.5 million | $58 million | $2.5 million |
10 | Carson Wentz | American football | United States | $59.1 million | $55.1 million | $4 million |
The 2010–2019 list: [6]
Rank | Name | Sport | Nation | Earnings |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Floyd Mayweather Jr. | Boxing | United States | $915 million |
2 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Association football | Portugal | $800 million |
3 | Lionel Messi | Association football | Argentina | $750 million |
4 | LeBron James | Basketball | United States | $680 million |
5 | Roger Federer | Tennis | Switzerland | $640 million |
6 | Tiger Woods | Golf | United States | $615 million |
7 | Phil Mickelson | Golf | United States | $480 million |
8 | Manny Pacquiao | Boxing | Philippines | $435 million |
9 | Kevin Durant | Basketball | United States | $425 million |
10 | Lewis Hamilton | Auto racing | United Kingdom | $400 million |
The 2019 list:[ citation needed ]
Rank | Name | Sport | Nation | Total | Salary/Winnings | Endorsements |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Lionel Messi | Association football | Argentina | $127 million | $92 million | $35 million |
2 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Association football | Portugal | $109 million | $65 million | $44 million |
3 | Neymar | Association football | Brazil | $105 million | $75 million | $30 million |
4 | Canelo Álvarez | Boxing | Mexico | $94 million | $92 million | $2 million |
5 | Roger Federer | Tennis | Switzerland | $93.4 million | $7.4 million | $86 million |
6 | Russell Wilson | American football | United States | $89.5 million | $80.5 million | $9 million |
7 | Aaron Rodgers | American football | United States | $89.3 million | $80.3 million | $9 million |
8 | LeBron James | Basketball | United States | $89 million | $36 million | $53 million |
9 | Stephen Curry | Basketball | United States | $79.8 million | $37.8 million | $42 million |
10 | Kevin Durant | Basketball | United States | $65.4 million | $30.4 million | $35 million |
The 2018 list:[ citation needed ]
Rank | Name | Sport | Nation | Total | Salary/Winnings | Endorsements |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Floyd Mayweather Jr. | Boxing | United States | $285 million | $275 million | $10 million |
2 | Lionel Messi | Association football | Argentina | $111 million | $84 million | $27 million |
3 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Association football | Portugal | $108 million | $61 million | $47 million |
4 | Conor McGregor | Mixed martial arts | Republic of Ireland | $99 million | $85 million | $14 million |
5 | Neymar | Association football | Brazil | $90 million | $73 million | $17 million |
6 | LeBron James | Basketball | United States | $85.5 million | $33.5 million | $52 million |
7 | Roger Federer | Tennis | Switzerland | $77.2 million | $12.2 million | $65 million |
8 | Stephen Curry | Basketball | United States | $76.9 million | $34.9 million | $42 million |
9 | Matt Ryan | American football | United States | $67.3 million | $62.3 million | $5 million |
10 | Matthew Stafford | American football | United States | $59.5 million | $57.5 million | $2 million |
The 2017 list: [7]
Rank | Name | Sport | Nation | Total | Salary/Winnings | Endorsements |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Association football | Portugal | $93 million | $58 million | $35 million |
2 | LeBron James | Basketball | United States | $86.2 million | $31.2 million | $55 million |
3 | Lionel Messi | Association football | Argentina | $80 million | $53 million | $27 million |
4 | Roger Federer | Tennis | Switzerland | $64 million | $6 million | $58 million |
5 | Kevin Durant | Basketball | United States | $60.6 million | $26.6 million | $34 million |
6 | Andrew Luck | American football | United States | $50 million | $47 million | $3 million |
6 | Rory McIlroy | Golf | Northern Ireland | $50 million | $16 million | $34 million |
8 | Stephen Curry | Basketball | United States | $47.3 million | $12.3 million | $35 million |
9 | James Harden | Basketball | United States | $46.6 million | $26.6 million | $20 million |
10 | Lewis Hamilton | Auto racing | United Kingdom | $46 million | $38 million | $8 million |
The 2016 list: [8]
Rank | Name | Sport | Nation | Total | Salary/Winnings | Endorsements |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Association football | Portugal | $88 million | $56 million | $32 million |
2 | Lionel Messi | Association football | Argentina | $81.4 million | $53.4 million | $28 million |
3 | LeBron James | Basketball | United States | $77.2 million | $23.2 million | $54 million |
4 | Roger Federer | Tennis | Switzerland | $67.8 million | $7.8 million | $60 million |
5 | Kevin Durant | Basketball | United States | $56.2 million | $20.2 million | $36 million |
6 | Novak Djokovic | Tennis | Serbia | $55.8 million | $21.8 million | $34 million |
7 | Cam Newton | American football | United States | $53.1 million | $41.1 million | $12 million |
8 | Phil Mickelson | Golf | United States | $52.9 million | $2.9 million | $50 million |
9 | Jordan Spieth | Golf | United States | $52.8 million | $20.8 million | $32 million |
10 | Kobe Bryant | Basketball | United States | $50 million | $25 million | $25 million |
The 2015 list was released on 10 June 2015. [9]
Rank | Name | Sport | Nation | Total | Salary/Winnings | Endorsements |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Floyd Mayweather Jr. | Boxing | United States | $300 million | $285 million | $15 million |
2 | Manny Pacquiao | Boxing | Philippines | $160 million | $148 million | $12 million |
3 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Association football | Portugal | $79.6 million | $52.6 million | $27 million |
4 | Lionel Messi | Association football | Argentina | $73.8 million | $51.8 million | $22 million |
5 | Roger Federer | Tennis | Switzerland | $67 million | $9 million | $58 million |
6 | LeBron James | Basketball | United States | $64.8 million | $20.8 million | $44 million |
7 | Kevin Durant | Basketball | United States | $54.1 million | $19.1 million | $35 million |
8 | Phil Mickelson | Golf | United States | $50.8 million | $2.8 million | $48 million |
9 | Tiger Woods | Golf | United States | $50.6 million | $0.6 million | $50 million |
10 | Kobe Bryant | Basketball | United States | $49.5 million | $23.5 million | $26 million |
The 2014 list was released on 11 June 2014. [10]
Rank | Name | Sport | Nation | Total | Salary/Winnings | Endorsements |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Floyd Mayweather Jr. | Boxing | United States | $105 million | $105 million | $0 |
2 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Association football | Portugal | $80 million | $52 million | $28 million |
3 | LeBron James | Basketball | United States | $72.3 million | $19.3 million | $53 million |
4 | Lionel Messi | Association football | Argentina | $64.7 million | $41.7 million | $23 million |
5 | Kobe Bryant | Basketball | United States | $61.5 million | $30.5 million | $31 million |
6 | Tiger Woods | Golf | United States | $61.2 million | $6.2 million | $55 million |
7 | Roger Federer | Tennis | Switzerland | $56.2 million | $4.2 million | $52 million |
8 | Phil Mickelson | Golf | United States | $53.2 million | $5.2 million | $48 million |
9 | Rafael Nadal | Tennis | Spain | $44.5 million | $14.5 million | $30 million |
10 | Matt Ryan | American football | United States | $43.8 million | $42 million | $1.8 million |
The 2013 list was released on 5 June 2013. [11]
Rank | Name | Sport | Nation | Total | Salary/Winnings | Endorsements |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Tiger Woods | Golf | United States | $78.1 million | $13.1 million | $65 million |
2 | Roger Federer | Tennis | Switzerland | $71.5 million | $6.5 million | $65 million |
3 | Kobe Bryant | Basketball | United States | $61.9 million | $27.9 million | $34 million |
4 | LeBron James | Basketball | United States | $59.8 million | $17.8 million | $42 million |
5 | Drew Brees | American football | United States | $51 million | $40 million | $11 million |
6 | Aaron Rodgers | American football | United States | $49 million | $43 million | $6 million |
7 | Phil Mickelson | Golf | United States | $48.7 million | $4.7 million | $44 million |
8 | David Beckham | Association football | United Kingdom | $47.2 million | $5.2 million | $42 million |
9 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Association football | Portugal | $44 million | $23 million | $21 million |
10 | Lionel Messi | Association football | Argentina | $41.3 million | $20.3 million | $21 million |
The 2012 list was released on 18 June 2012. [12]
Rank | Name | Sport | Nationality | Total earnings | Salary/winnings | Endorsements |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Floyd Mayweather Jr. | Boxing | United States | $85 million | $85 million | $0 |
2 | Manny Pacquiao | Boxing | Philippines | $62 million | $56 million | $6 million |
3 | Tiger Woods | Golf | United States | $59.4 million | $4.4 million | $55 million |
4 | LeBron James | Basketball | United States | $53 million | $13 million | $40 million |
5 | Roger Federer | Tennis | Switzerland | $52.7 million | $7.7 million | $45 million |
6 | Kobe Bryant | Basketball | United States | $52.3 million | $20.3 million | $32 million |
7 | Phil Mickelson | Golf | United States | $47.8 million | $4.8 million | $43 million |
8 | David Beckham | Association football | United Kingdom | $46 million | $9 million | $37 million |
9 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Association football | Portugal | $42.5 million | $20.5 million | $22 million |
10 | Peyton Manning | American football | United States | $42.4 million | $32.4 million | $10 million |
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a forward for and captains both Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr and the Portugal national team. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, Ronaldo has won five Ballon d'Or awards, a record three UEFA Men's Player of the Year Awards, and four European Golden Shoes, the most by a European player. He has won 33 trophies in his career, including seven league titles, five UEFA Champions Leagues, the UEFA European Championship and the UEFA Nations League. Ronaldo holds the records for most appearances (183), goals (140) and assists (42) in the Champions League, goals in the European Championship (14), international goals (128) and international appearances (206). He is one of the few players to have made over 1,200 professional career appearances, the most by an outfield player, and has scored over 890 official senior career goals for club and country, making him the top goalscorer of all time.
Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao is a Filipino politician and former professional boxer. Nicknamed "PacMan", he is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional boxers of all time. He previously served as a senator of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022.
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Floyd Joy Mayweather Jr. is an American boxing promoter and former professional boxer who competed between 1996 and 2017. He retired with an undefeated record and won 15 major world championships from super featherweight to light middleweight. This includes the Ring magazine title in three weight classes and the lineal championship in four weight classes. As an amateur, he won a bronze medal in the featherweight division at the 1996 Olympics, three U.S. Golden Gloves championships, and the U.S. national championship at featherweight.
Lionel Andrés "Leo" Messi is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for and captains both Major League Soccer club Inter Miami and the Argentina national team. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, Messi has won a record eight Ballon d'Or awards, a record six European Golden Shoes, and was named the world's best player for a record eight times by FIFA. Until 2021, he had spent his entire professional career with Barcelona, where he won a club-record 34 trophies, including ten La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey titles, and the UEFA Champions League four times. With his country, he won the 2021 Copa América and the 2022 FIFA World Cup. A prolific goalscorer and creative playmaker, Messi holds the records for most goals (474), hat-tricks (36), and assists in La Liga (192). He has the most international goals by a South American male (106). Messi has scored over 800 senior career goals for club and country, and the most goals for a single club (672).
Uppalapati Venkata Suryanarayana Prabhas Raju, known mononymously as Prabhas, is an Indian actor who works predominantly in Telugu cinema. Referred to in the media as the "Rebel Star", he is one of the highest-paid actors in Indian cinema. Prabhas has been featuring in Forbes India's Celebrity 100 list since 2015 and has received seven Filmfare Awards nominations, a Nandi Award, and a SIIMA Award.
Taylor Alison Swift is an American singer-songwriter. A subject of widespread public interest with a vast fanbase, she has influenced the music industry, popular culture, and politics through her songwriting, artistry, entrepreneurship, and advocacy.
Celebrity 100 was an annual list compiled and published by Forbes magazine from 1999 to 2020, preceded by the Forbes Top 40 entertainers list. Until 2014, the rankings were made based on a complex combination of factors, including earnings, social media following, magazine covers and a range of qualitative metrics, with the aim of "measuring power". Since 2015, Forbes had solely factored pretax earnings, before deducting fees for managers, lawyers and agents.
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Virat Kohli is an Indian international cricketer and the former captain of the Indian national cricket team. He is a right-handed batsman and an occasional medium-fast bowler. He currently represents Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL and Delhi in domestic cricket. Kohli is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time. He holds the record as the highest run-scorer in T20I and IPL, ranks third in ODI, and stands as the fourth-highest in international cricket. He also holds the record for scoring the most centuries in ODI cricket and stands second in the list of most international centuries scored. Kohli was a key member of the Indian team that won the 2011 Cricket World Cup, 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, and captained India to win the ICC Test mace three consecutive times in 2017, 2018, and 2019.
Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson, known professionally as Katy Perry, is an American singer, songwriter, and television personality. She is known for her influence on modern pop music and her camp style, being dubbed the "Queen of Camp" by Vogue and Rolling Stone. At 16, Perry released a gospel record titled Katy Hudson (2001) under Red Hill Records, which was commercially unsuccessful. She moved to Los Angeles at 17 to venture into secular music, and later adopted the stage name "Katy Perry" from her mother's maiden name. She recorded an album while signed to Columbia Records, but was dropped before signing to Capitol Records.
Margot Elise Robbie is an Australian actress and producer. Her work includes both blockbuster and independent films, and her accolades include nominations for three Academy Awards, six BAFTA Awards and four Golden Globe Awards. Time named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2017, and Forbes named her the world's highest-paid actress in 2023.
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