Cristiano Ronaldo has once again claimed the title of the world’s highest-paid athlete, according to Forbes, marking his third consecutive year and fifth overall. The Portuguese superstar’s recent transfer to Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr significantly boosted his earnings, estimated to be around $275 million for the year. This impressive figure includes $15 million accrued through various endorsements, fueled by his massive social media presence, which boasts 939 million followers as of May 2025.
Ronaldo’s financial achievements set him apart, but he is not alone in the ranks of elite earners. Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry follows in second place with $156 million, after making history as the first NBA player to hit 4,000 career three-pointers. Boxer Tyson Fury placed third at $146 million, benefiting from promotional deals, including a partnership to promote Maltese tourism and a Netflix reality show, despite a recent title loss.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott secured the fourth spot with $137 million, thanks to lucrative contract extensions, while Lionel Messi, despite maintaining his earnings at $135 million with his move to Inter Miami and ongoing endorsements from Adidas and Apple, slipped to fifth.
Completing the top 10 list, LeBron James earned $133.8 million, followed by New York Mets’ Juan Soto at $114 million. Soto made headlines with a historic 15-year contract valued at $765 million. Meanwhile, French striker Karim Benzema and Japanese star Shohei Ohtani earned $104 million and $102.5 million, respectively, while NBA’s Kevin Durant rounded out the top ten with $101.4 million.
While the rankings highlight a substantial focus on male athletes, they also draw attention to the ongoing discussions regarding gender equity in sports earnings, emphasizing a need for initiatives that promote greater recognition and financial support for female athletes, a sentiment echoed in other articles surrounding the landscape of sports salaries and pay disparities.
The continuing rise of high-profile athletes such as Ronaldo, Curry, and others serves as a hopeful reminder of the potential for excellence in sports while also urging a progressive approach towards fairness and equality in earnings for all athletes in the industry.
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