The global sports industry is a highly lucrative venture for all of the stakeholders involved. Every year, the sector rakes in hundreds of billions of dollars, with a large percentage of that massive revenue going to the players and superstars that make it all possible.
Not only are your favorite international athletes getting rewarded for their outstanding performances, but many of them also go on to earn a fortune off-field due to their sporting image.
Between 2024 and 2025, all the 10 top paid stars in the world earned an estimated 1.35 billion combined from different sports, ranging from soccer to basketball and golf. Are you interested in discovering who the world’s highest paid athletes are? Kate Richardson, leading sports commentator walks us through how much money the ten highest-paid athletes made in 2025.
Cristiano Ronaldo: 285 Million USD
For the second straight year, Cristiano Ronaldo topped the list of top-earning athletes with an outstanding income of US$285 million. The soccer star is currently signed to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr with a contract that expires later in the summer of 2025.
With the Saudi Pro League team, Ronaldo earns about $220 million a year on the pitch. Another $65 million from his other business ventures and endorsement deals see him seated comfortably as the world’s top earner from sports.
Cristiano has consistently deemed himself the best in the sport.
No wonder he once said, “I see myself as the best footballer in the world. If you don’t believe you are the best, then you will never achieve all that you are capable of.”
Jon Rahm: 218 Million USD
Rahm is yet another Saudi-based sportsperson to rank among the highest-paid athletes this year. A move to Saudi’s LIV Golf League from the PGA Tour back in 2023 has seen the pro golfer advance in fortunes.
The 30-year-old Spanish superstar took home $198 million from the field and another $20 million from other endeavors. Before his Saudi move, he won the Masters Tournament in 2023 and once held the record for the longest time spent as number one on the World Amateur Golf Ranking.
Lionel Messi: 135 Million USD
Coming off the back of a World Cup win in 2022, Lionel Messi has made the list after a salary of $65 million playing for MLS side, Inter Miami. The soccer legend earned considerably more with his sponsorship deals and brand partnerships adding $70 million to his total income.
Messi is a brand ambassador for Adidas and Pepsi, among other brands. The Argentine star remains one of the most decorated soccer players with 46 trophies and eight Ballon d’Or, with the latest coming in 2023.
LeBron James: 128.7 Million USD
Popularly known as King James, LeBron is the singular sports star earning the most from endorsements and his other business ventures. With a salary of barely $50 million playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, James makes $80 million in brand sponsorships.
Two years ago, James joined Tiger Woods to become the first active sportsperson to make Forbes sports billionaires list. This feat is thanks to endorsements with top brands such as Nike, PepsiCo and AT&T.
Neymar: 110 Million USD
Despite a big money move to Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal in the summer of 2023, Neymar barely played for the side, no thanks to an ACL injury that kept him on the sidelines. This setback didn’t affect his finances, though, as the Brazilian earned $80 million as his salary.
Off the pitch, the superstar raked in about $30 million from his deals with Puma, Qatar Airways and Red Bull. In January 2025, Neymar returned to boyhood club Santos with a few months still to go on his Al Hilal contract.
Stephen Curry: 105.8 Million USD
Nicknamed the baby-faced assassin, Steph Curry is arguably one of the finest point guards in NBA history. While playing for the Golden State Warriors, Curry made an estimated $56 million in 2024 and about $50 million away from the basketball court.
Curry is proud owner of Thirty Ink, the conglomerate that hosts all of his other businesses. He operates Curry Brand, an apparel line as well as Unanimous Media, a production company. Alongside his wife, Ayesha, the basketball star also has different philanthropic initiatives.
Despite these achievements, Curry still sees himself as yet to reach his potential.
He is credited with once saying, “Being a superstar means you’ve reached your potential, and I don’t think I’ve reached my potential as a basketball player and as a leader yet.”
Such a mindset leaves so much room for growth, and it’s not surprising Curry is a high achiever.
Karim Benzema: 104 Million USD
Former Ballon d’Or winner, Karim Benzema is one of the world’s highest-paid players. Benzema penned a contract with Saudi Arabian soccer team Al-Ittihad that sees him earn $100 million annually for his work on the field.
Although Benzema doesn’t have as many endorsements and sponsorships like other superstars on this list, he still made $4 million from his deal with Adidas. The French footballer has been in fine form for Al-Ittihad, netting 17 goals so far this season.
Giannis Antetokounmpo: 93.8 Million USD
Nigerian-Greek basketball player Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the richest stars in the world of sports today. With an annual income of $93.8 million, Antetokounmpo owes it equally to his fine on-court display for the Milwaukee Bucks and his brand deals.
The 30-year-old forward made $48.8 million from his basketball salary and another $45 million from his endorsements with PepsiCo, Google and Nike. Since 2024, Giannis has also operated Improbable Media which he launched alongside ESPN analyst Jay Williams.
Kylian Mbappé: 90 Million USD
Undoubtedly the youngest person on this list, the 26-year-old professional soccer player has earned his place as one of the highest paid athletes in the world. Mbappé made $70 million in salary playing for Spanish side Real Madrid in 2024,
He also boasts multiple endorsement deals with top brands including Hublot and Nike. Combining that with his businesses and investments saw him make a whopping $20 million off the field.
Jared Goff: 85.6 Million USD
Goff, a football quarterback for the Detroit Lions, is arguably the richest star in the NFL. Since joining the Lions in 2021 on a contract worth 212 million USD, Goff takes home a whopping annual pay of $53 million.
The rest of his income comes from sponsorship deals with Netflix, Ford and other top companies. Jared also owns JG16, a clothing line he founded as far back as in 2019 when he still played for the LA Rams.
Concluding Remarks on the 2025 List of the Top 10 Highest-Paid Athletes in the World
There are many moving parts that contribute to making the richest sportspersons in the world.
Some of the means through which top athletes make their fortune include:
- Salary
- Endorsements
- Prize money from competitions
- Intellectual property
- Brand sponsorship
- Merchandise and licensing
- Fundraising and grants
Spectators can thankfully also make money from their love and passion for different sports, thanks to the growth of sports betting. You can wager on your favorite athlete to win their games or for their teams to win trophies. Even better, you can bet on many sports superstars all at once with features like accumulator bets.
With many platforms like MightyTips providing accumulator tips and other insights into markets, your sports betting journey can get more exciting and rewarding. Now you simply don’t just watch, but also join in on the action and keep the sports venture a lucrative one for everyone. The article was provided by Kate Richardson
