Forbes list of the world's highest-paid athletes

Last updated

This is a list of the highest-paid athletes in the world as ranked by Forbes magazine.

Contents

2025 list

The 2025 list: [1]

RankNameSportCountryTotalSalary/winningsEndorsements
1 Cristiano Ronaldo Association football Flag of Portugal.svg Portugal $275 million$225 million$50 million
2 Stephen Curry Basketball Flag of the United States.svg United States $156 million$56 million$100 million
3 Tyson Fury Boxing Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom $146 million$140 million$6 million
4 Dak Prescott American football Flag of the United States.svg United States $137 million$127 million$10 million
5 Lionel Messi Association football Flag of Argentina.svg Argentina $135 million$60 million$75 million
6 LeBron James Basketball Flag of the United States.svg United States $133.8 million$48.8 million$85 million
7 Juan Soto Baseball Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg Dominican Republic $114 million$109 million$5 million
8 Karim Benzema Association football Flag of France.svg France $104 million$100 million$4 million
9 Shohei Ohtani Baseball Flag of Japan.svg Japan $102.5 million$2.5 million$100 million
10 Kevin Durant Basketball Flag of the United States.svg United States $101.4 million$51.4 million$50 million

2024 list

The 2024 list: [2]

RankNameSportCountryTotalSalary/winningsEndorsements
1 Cristiano Ronaldo Association football Flag of Portugal.svg Portugal $260 million$200 million$60 million
2 Jon Rahm Golf Flag of Spain.svg Spain $218 million$198 million$20 million
3 Lionel Messi Association football Flag of Argentina.svg Argentina $135 million$65 million$70 million
4 LeBron James Basketball Flag of the United States.svg United States $128.2 million$48.2 million$80 million
5 Giannis Antetokounmpo Basketball Flag of Greece.svg Greece $111 million$46 million$65 million
6 Kylian Mbappé Association football Flag of France.svg France $110 million$90 million$20 million
7 Neymar Association football Flag of Brazil.svg Brazil $108 million$80 million$28 million
8 Karim Benzema Association football Flag of France.svg France $106 million$100 million$6 million
9 Stephen Curry Basketball Flag of the United States.svg United States $102 million$52 million$50 million
10 Lamar Jackson American football Flag of the United States.svg United States $100.5 million$98.5 million$2 million

2023 list

The 2023 list: [3]

RankNameSportCountryTotalSalary/winningsEndorsements
1 Cristiano Ronaldo Association football Flag of Portugal.svg Portugal $136 million$46 million$90 million
2 Lionel Messi Association football Flag of Argentina.svg Argentina $130 million$65 million$65 million
3 Kylian Mbappé Association football Flag of France.svg France $120 million$100 million$20 million
4 LeBron James Basketball Flag of the United States.svg United States $119.5 million$44.5 million$75 million
5 Canelo Álvarez Boxing Flag of Mexico.svg Mexico $110 million$100 million$10 million
6 Dustin Johnson Golf Flag of the United States.svg United States $107 million$102 million$5 million
7 Phil Mickelson Golf Flag of the United States.svg United States $106 million$104 million$2 million
8 Stephen Curry Basketball Flag of the United States.svg United States $100.4 million$48.4 million$52 million
9 Roger Federer Tennis Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Switzerland $95.1 million$0.1 million$95 million
10 Kevin Durant Basketball Flag of the United States.svg United States $89.1 million$44.1 million$45 million

2022 list

The 2022 list: [4]

RankNameSportCountryTotalSalary/winningsEndorsements
1 Lionel Messi Association football Flag of Argentina.svg Argentina $130 million$75 million$55 million
2 LeBron James Basketball Flag of the United States.svg United States $121.2 million$41.2 million$80 million
3 Cristiano Ronaldo Association football Flag of Portugal.svg Portugal $115 million$60 million$55 million
4 Neymar Association football Flag of Brazil.svg Brazil $95 million$70 million$25 million
5 Stephen Curry Basketball Flag of the United States.svg United States $92.8 million$45.8 million$47 million
6 Kevin Durant Basketball Flag of the United States.svg United States $92.1 million$42.1 million$50 million
7 Roger Federer Tennis Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Switzerland $90.7 million$0.7 million$90 million
8 Canelo Álvarez Boxing Flag of Mexico.svg Mexico $90 million$85 million$5 million
9 Tom Brady American football Flag of the United States.svg United States $83.9 million$31.9 million$52 million
10 Giannis Antetokounmpo Basketball Flag of Greece.svg Greece $80.9 million$39.9 million$41 million

2021 list

The 2021 list: [5]

RankNameSportCountryTotalSalary/winningsEndorsements
1 Conor McGregor Mixed martial arts Flag of Ireland.svg Republic of Ireland $180 million$22 million$158 million
2 Lionel Messi Association football Flag of Argentina.svg Argentina $130 million$97 million$33 million
3 Cristiano Ronaldo Association football Flag of Portugal.svg Portugal $120 million$70 million$50 million
4 Dak Prescott American football Flag of the United States.svg United States $107.5 million$97.5 million$10 million
5 LeBron James Basketball Flag of the United States.svg United States $96.5 million$31.5 million$65 million
6 Neymar Association football Flag of Brazil.svg Brazil $95 million$76 million$19 million
7 Roger Federer Tennis Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Switzerland $90 million$0.03 million$90 million
8 Lewis Hamilton Auto racing Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom $82 million$70 million$12 million
9 Tom Brady American football Flag of the United States.svg United States $76 million$45 million$31 million
10 Kevin Durant Basketball Flag of the United States.svg United States $75 million$31 million$44 million

2020 list

The 2020 list: [6]

RankNameSportCountryTotalSalary/winningsEndorsements
1 Roger Federer Tennis Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Switzerland $106.3 million$6.3 million$100 million
2 Cristiano Ronaldo Association football Flag of Portugal.svg Portugal $105 million$60 million$45 million
3 Lionel Messi Association football Flag of Argentina.svg Argentina $104 million$72 million$32 million
4 Neymar Association football Flag of Brazil.svg Brazil $95.5 million$70.5 million$25 million
5 LeBron James Basketball Flag of the United States.svg United States $88.2 million$28.2 million$60 million
6 Stephen Curry Basketball Flag of the United States.svg United States $74.4 million$30.4 million$44 million
7 Kevin Durant Basketball Flag of the United States.svg United States $63.9 million$28.9 million$35 million
8 Tiger Woods Golf Flag of the United States.svg United States $62.3 million $2.3 million$60 million
9 Kirk Cousins American football Flag of the United States.svg United States $60.5 million$58 million$2.5 million
10 Carson Wentz American football Flag of the United States.svg United States $59.1 million$55.1 million$4 million

2010–2019 list

The 2010–2019 list: [7]

RankNameSportNationEarnings
1 Floyd Mayweather Jr. Boxing Flag of the United States.svg United States $915 million
2 Cristiano Ronaldo Association football Flag of Portugal.svg Portugal $800 million
3 Lionel Messi Association football Flag of Argentina.svg Argentina $750 million
4 LeBron James Basketball Flag of the United States.svg United States $680 million
5 Roger Federer Tennis Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Switzerland $640 million
6 Tiger Woods Golf Flag of the United States.svg United States $615 million
7 Phil Mickelson Golf Flag of the United States.svg United States $480 million
8 Manny Pacquiao Boxing Flag of the Philippines.svg Philippines $435 million
9 Kevin Durant Basketball Flag of the United States.svg United States $425 million
10 Lewis Hamilton Auto racing Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom $400 million

2019 list

The 2019 list:[ citation needed ]

RankNameSportNationTotalSalary/WinningsEndorsements
1 Lionel Messi Association football Flag of Argentina.svg Argentina $127 million$92 million$35 million
2 Cristiano Ronaldo Association football Flag of Portugal.svg Portugal $109 million$65 million$44 million
3 Neymar Association football Flag of Brazil.svg Brazil $105 million$75 million$30 million
4 Canelo Álvarez Boxing Flag of Mexico.svg Mexico $94 million$92 million$2 million
5 Roger Federer Tennis Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Switzerland $93.4 million$7.4 million$86 million
6 Russell Wilson American football Flag of the United States.svg United States $89.5 million$80.5 million$9 million
7 Aaron Rodgers American football Flag of the United States.svg United States $89.3 million$80.3 million$9 million
8 LeBron James Basketball Flag of the United States.svg United States $89 million$36 million$53 million
9 Stephen Curry Basketball Flag of the United States.svg United States $79.8 million$37.8 million$42 million
10 Kevin Durant Basketball Flag of the United States.svg United States $65.4 million$30.4 million$35 million

2018 list

The 2018 list:[ citation needed ]

RankNameSportNationTotalSalary/WinningsEndorsements
1 Floyd Mayweather Jr. Boxing Flag of the United States.svg United States $285 million$275 million$10 million
2 Lionel Messi Association football Flag of Argentina.svg Argentina $111 million$84 million$27 million
3 Cristiano Ronaldo Association football Flag of Portugal.svg Portugal $108 million$61 million$47 million
4 Conor McGregor Mixed martial arts Flag of Ireland.svg Republic of Ireland $99 million$85 million$14 million
5 Neymar Association football Flag of Brazil.svg Brazil $90 million$73 million$17 million
6 LeBron James Basketball Flag of the United States.svg United States $85.5 million$33.5 million$52 million
7 Roger Federer Tennis Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Switzerland $77.2 million$12.2 million$65 million
8 Stephen Curry Basketball Flag of the United States.svg United States $76.9 million$34.9 million$42 million
9 Matt Ryan American football Flag of the United States.svg United States $67.3 million$62.3 million$5 million
10 Matthew Stafford American football Flag of the United States.svg United States $59.5 million$57.5 million$2 million

2017 list

The 2017 list: [8]

RankNameSportNationTotalSalary/WinningsEndorsements
1 Cristiano Ronaldo Association football Flag of Portugal.svg Portugal $93 million$58 million$35 million
2 LeBron James Basketball Flag of the United States.svg United States $86.2 million$31.2 million$55 million
3 Lionel Messi Association football Flag of Argentina.svg Argentina $80 million$53 million$27 million
4 Roger Federer Tennis Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Switzerland $64 million$6 million$58 million
5 Kevin Durant Basketball Flag of the United States.svg United States $60.6 million$26.6 million$34 million
6 Andrew Luck American football Flag of the United States.svg United States $50 million$47 million$3 million
6 Rory McIlroy Golf Ulster Banner.svg Northern Ireland $50 million$16 million$34 million
8 Stephen Curry Basketball Flag of the United States.svg United States $47.3 million$12.3 million$35 million
9 James Harden Basketball Flag of the United States.svg United States $46.6 million$26.6 million$20 million
10 Lewis Hamilton Auto racing Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom $46 million$38 million$8 million

2016 list

The 2016 list: [9]

RankNameSportNationTotalSalary/WinningsEndorsements
1 Cristiano Ronaldo Association football Flag of Portugal.svg Portugal $88 million$56 million$32 million
2 Lionel Messi Association football Flag of Argentina.svg Argentina $81.4 million$53.4 million$28 million
3 LeBron James Basketball Flag of the United States.svg United States $77.2 million$23.2 million$54 million
4 Roger Federer Tennis Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Switzerland $67.8 million$7.8 million$60 million
5 Kevin Durant Basketball Flag of the United States.svg United States $56.2 million$20.2 million$36 million
6 Novak Djokovic Tennis Flag of Serbia.svg Serbia $55.8 million$21.8 million$34 million
7 Cam Newton American football Flag of the United States.svg United States $53.1 million$41.1 million$12 million
8 Phil Mickelson Golf Flag of the United States.svg United States $52.9 million$2.9 million$50 million
9 Jordan Spieth Golf Flag of the United States.svg United States $52.8 million$20.8 million$32 million
10 Kobe Bryant Basketball Flag of the United States.svg United States $50 million$25 million$25 million

2015 list

The 2015 list was released on 10 June 2015. [10]

RankNameSportNationTotalSalary/WinningsEndorsements
1 Floyd Mayweather Jr. Boxing Flag of the United States.svg United States $300 million$285 million$15 million
2 Manny Pacquiao Boxing Flag of the Philippines.svg Philippines $160 million$148 million$12 million
3 Cristiano Ronaldo Association football Flag of Portugal.svg Portugal $79.6 million$52.6 million$27 million
4 Lionel Messi Association football Flag of Argentina.svg Argentina $73.8 million$51.8 million$22 million
5 Roger Federer Tennis Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Switzerland $67 million$9 million$58 million
6 LeBron James Basketball Flag of the United States.svg United States $64.8 million$20.8 million$44 million
7 Kevin Durant Basketball Flag of the United States.svg United States $54.1 million$19.1 million$35 million
8 Phil Mickelson Golf Flag of the United States.svg United States $50.8 million$2.8 million$48 million
9 Tiger Woods Golf Flag of the United States.svg United States $50.6 million$0.6 million$50 million
10 Kobe Bryant Basketball Flag of the United States.svg United States $49.5 million$23.5 million$26 million

2014 list

The 2014 list was released on 11 June 2014. [11]

RankNameSportNationTotalSalary/WinningsEndorsements
1 Floyd Mayweather Jr. Boxing Flag of the United States.svg United States $105 million$105 million$0
2 Cristiano Ronaldo Association football Flag of Portugal.svg Portugal $80 million$52 million$28 million
3 LeBron James Basketball Flag of the United States.svg United States $72.3 million$19.3 million$53 million
4 Lionel Messi Association football Flag of Argentina.svg Argentina $64.7 million$41.7 million$23 million
5 Kobe Bryant Basketball Flag of the United States.svg United States $61.5 million$30.5 million$31 million
6 Tiger Woods Golf Flag of the United States.svg United States $61.2 million$6.2 million$55 million
7 Roger Federer Tennis Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Switzerland $56.2 million$4.2 million$52 million
8 Phil Mickelson Golf Flag of the United States.svg United States $53.2 million$5.2 million$48 million
9 Rafael Nadal Tennis Flag of Spain.svg Spain $44.5 million$14.5 million$30 million
10 Matt Ryan American football Flag of the United States.svg United States $43.8 million$42 million$1.8 million

2013 list

The 2013 list was released on 5 June 2013. [12]

RankNameSportNationTotalSalary/WinningsEndorsements
1 Tiger Woods Golf Flag of the United States.svg United States $78.1 million$13.1 million$65 million
2 Roger Federer Tennis Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Switzerland $71.5 million$6.5 million$65 million
3 Kobe Bryant Basketball Flag of the United States.svg United States $61.9 million$27.9 million$34 million
4 LeBron James Basketball Flag of the United States.svg United States $59.8 million$17.8 million$42 million
5 Drew Brees American football Flag of the United States.svg United States $51 million$40 million$11 million
6 Aaron Rodgers American football Flag of the United States.svg United States $49 million$43 million$6 million
7 Phil Mickelson Golf Flag of the United States.svg United States $48.7 million$4.7 million$44 million
8 David Beckham Association football Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom $47.2 million$5.2 million$42 million
9 Cristiano Ronaldo Association football Flag of Portugal.svg Portugal $44 million$23 million$21 million
10 Lionel Messi Association football Flag of Argentina.svg Argentina $41.3 million$20.3 million$21 million

2012 list

The 2012 list was released on 18 June 2012. [13]

RankNameSportNationalityTotal earningsSalary/winningsEndorsements
1 Floyd Mayweather Jr. Boxing Flag of the United States.svg United States $85 million$85 million$0
2 Manny Pacquiao Boxing Flag of the Philippines.svg Philippines $62 million$56 million$6 million
3 Tiger Woods Golf Flag of the United States.svg United States $59.4 million$4.4 million$55 million
4 LeBron James Basketball Flag of the United States.svg United States $53 million$13 million$40 million
5 Roger Federer Tennis Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Switzerland $52.7 million$7.7 million$45 million
6 Kobe Bryant Basketball Flag of the United States.svg United States $52.3 million$20.3 million$32 million
7 Phil Mickelson Golf Flag of the United States.svg United States $47.8 million$4.8 million$43 million
8 David Beckham Association football Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom $46 million$9 million$37 million
9 Cristiano Ronaldo Association football Flag of Portugal.svg Portugal $42.5 million$20.5 million$22 million
10 Peyton Manning American football Flag of the United States.svg United States $42.4 million$32.4 million$10 million

See also

References

  1. ↑ Knight, Brett. "The World's 10 Highest-Paid Athletes 2025". Forbes. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  2. ↑ Birnbaum, Justin. "The World's 10 Highest-Paid Athletes 2024". Forbes. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
  3. ↑ Knight, Brett. "The World's 10 Highest-Paid Athletes 2023". Forbes. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  4. ↑ Knight, Brett. "The World's 10 Highest-Paid Athletes: Lionel Messi leads a group that collectively earned more than $990 million in 12 months, with the bar for entry higher than ever". Forbes. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  5. ↑ Knight, Brett. "The World's 10 Highest-Paid Athletes: Conor McGregor Leads A Group Of Sports Stars Unfazed By The Pandemic". Forbes. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  6. ↑ "Roger Federer Debuts In Top Spot On Forbes' Annual Ranking Of The World's 100 Highest-Paid Athletes, As Naomi Osaka Becomes Highest-Paid Female Athlete Ever". Forbes. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  7. ↑ Badenhausen, Kurt. "The Highest-Paid Athletes Of The Decade: Mayweather, Ronaldo And LeBron Dominate". Forbes. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  8. ↑ "The World's Highest-Paid Athletes 2017". Forbes. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  9. ↑ "The World's Highest-Paid Athletes 2016". Forbes. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  10. ↑ "Forbes Announces 2015 List Of The World's 100 Highest-Paid Athletes". Forbes. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  11. ↑ "Floyd Mayweather Heads 2014 List Of The World's Highest-Paid Athletes". Forbes. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  12. ↑ "The World's Highest-Paid Athletes 2013: Behind The Numbers". Forbes. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  13. ↑ "Mayweather Tops List Of The World's 100 Highest-Paid Athletes". Forbes. Archived from the original on 18 June 2012. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
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