Forbes 2025 World’s 10 Highest-Paid Athletes List
No athlete made more money in 2025 than Cristiano Ronaldo, but he’s far from the only one cashing checks in the nine-figure range. Across courts, fields, and rings, this year’s top 15 earners combined for well over $1.5 billion! Most of it is driven by monster contracts and sharp business moves. Check out the lineup, stretching from NBA legends and boxing champions to baseball stars with record-breaking deals.
Cristiano Ronaldo – Soccer – Portugal – $275M
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Cristiano Ronaldo leads the global earnings chart for the third consecutive time with a staggering $275 million. That total includes a $225 million paycheck from Saudi club Al-Nassr and $50 million from sponsorships, investments, and media ventures. CR7 is more celebrity than soccer player at this point, and he has turned that into cash flow. He recently co-founded a production company with “Kingsman” director Matthew Vaughn and streams sports content to over 75 million YouTube subscribers.
Stephen Curry – Basketball – USA – $156M
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Stephen Curry’s rise to No. 2 comes from equal parts game and brand genius. Of his $156 million haul, $100 million comes from off-court dealings, including a major extension with Under Armour’s Curry Brand. He’s invested in everything from hydration startups to women’s basketball leagues. On the hardwood, he still drains threes while mentoring future stars at Davidson, where he now serves as an assistant GM.
Tyson Fury – Boxing – UK – $146M
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Nothing screams “legend” harder than Tyson Fury still banking up to $146 million during a chaotic year that saw him drop two title fights to Oleksandr Usyk. Bruises heal, and earning $140 million for your troubles in the ring is a great consolation prize. The large sum was largely thanks to Saudi-backed mega-events. Tyson’s also got off-ring hustle starring in his own Netflix series, “At Home With the Furys.”
Dak Prescott – Football – USA – $137M
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This quarterback-turned-financial-play-caller knows how to read a market as well as a defense. First, Dak Prescott made history with a contract structure that paid him $127 million in salary and bonuses within 12 months. Next were endorsements with Jordan Brand and Lowe’s that added another $10 million to his name. He’s also building a gym empire in Texas via Crunch Fitness partnerships.
Lionel Messi – Soccer – Argentina – $135M
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To millions of people, Lionel Messi will forever be soccer’s GOAT. Naturally, his arrival in Major League Soccer wasn’t a mere player acquisition for Inter Miami but a transformative event for the league’s global standing. While his $60 million salary is a substantial figure, his endorsements with Adidas and Apple, alongside his own Mas+ beverage, earn him even more, around $75 million.
LeBron James – Basketball – USA – $133.8M
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After more than two decades in the NBA spotlight, LeBron James is still making history—not just on the court but also in his bank account. While his Lakers stint earned him $48.8 million in salary, the larger story is off-court. His production company, SpringHill, is scaling up through a major merger, and he inked a deal to become the first athlete turned Ken doll.
Juan Soto – Baseball – Dominican Republic – $114M
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Juan Soto shattered expectations after signing a jaw-dropping 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets—even by baseball’s high-spending standards. His on-field take hit $109 million. And thanks to the buzz he generated, the Mets’ ticket sales surged following his signing. At just 26, Juan’s popularity and endorsements by the likes of Call of Duty and top Dominican brands have made him baseball’s financial poster boy.
Karim Benzema – Soccer – France – $104M
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Following a high-profile move to Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia, Karim Benzema’s earnings exploded. He took home $100 million on the field, bolstered by a carefully curated off-field presence worth $4 million. Sponsors like Adidas remain loyal, even as he embraces a quieter lifestyle far from the European spotlight. Rumors now swirl about a possible shift to Major League Soccer as the 2026 World Cup nears.
Shohei Ohtani – Baseball – Japan – $102.5M
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Though his Dodgers salary is deferred, Shohei Ohtani still walked away with $2.5 million in earnings plus postseason bonuses. But the reason he made it to this top-earners list is his headlining brand power. Out of the total, $100 million came from endorsement deals across Japan and the U.S. That includes New Balance, Seiko, Beats by Dre, and a record-breaking Topps trading card sale.
Kevin Durant – Basketball – USA – $101.4M
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Kevin Durant’s Suns may not have made the playoffs, but his financial game stayed elite. His total earnings combine a $51.4 million salary with $50 million in off-court earnings through Boardroom Media and investments in Paris Saint-Germain. He even has a soon-to-debut Netflix docuseries. His tequila brand, real estate moves, and a collaboration with Fanatics round out a sharp portfolio.
Oleksandr Usyk – Boxing – Ukraine – $101M
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Titles are probably the second thing on Oleksandr Usyk’s mind when he’s in the ring. He has turned heavyweight boxing into a stage for something bigger. With $100 million earned inside the ring, largely from two blockbuster bouts against Tyson Fury in Riyadh, he marked his status as an elite draw. He’s a former undisputed cruiserweight champ who became a unified heavyweight king.
Jon Rahm – Golf – Spain – $100M
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A shocking defection to LIV Golf in late 2023 redefined Jon Rahm’s brand and bank account. His $90 million on-course payday came mostly from that deal, reportedly one of the highest ever signed in pro golf. All the controversy aside, the move allowed him to double his annual earnings and increase his influence on the global stage. Jon still rakes in $10 million from endorsements.
Giannis Antetokounmpo – Basketball – Greece – $94.4M
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The “Greek Freak” is a nickname and a business model. Giannis Antetokounmpo pulled in $49.4 million on the court and another $45 million through a Nike partnership, movie rights, and recent stakes in other sports ventures. He’s leaned into storytelling and global appeal, with a Disney film about his family.
Scottie Scheffler – Golf – USA – $92.5M
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This Texas native has quietly become one of the most dominant players on the PGA Tour. With $62.5 million in tournament winnings, thanks to a historic streak of top finishes and clutch major victories, Scottie Scheffler is golf’s golden boy. He also earned $30 million in endorsement deals with Titleist, TaylorMade, and Rolex. All that money doesn’t change his minimalist lifestyle, though. He’s proof that marketability doesn’t require flash.
Deshaun Watson – Football – USA – $91.8M
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Despite an off-field history that raised eyebrows, Deshaun Watson still secured one of the NFL’s most lucrative deals. It has earned him $90.8 million in guaranteed money from the Cleveland Browns in the past 12 months. The contract’s structure front-loaded much of his salary into this period, which explains his leap into the top earners list. By contract value alone, he remains one of football’s highest-paid names.