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The world's greatest athletes get some the most lucrative deals in the global sports scene with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Lebron James and Lionel Messi among the top earners but how do they rank.
The global sports economy has never been bigger, and this year's highest-paid athletes is a testament to just how lucrative elite performance has become.
As a new generation begins to make its mark, veteran icons like Cristiano Ronaldo, LeBron James, and Lionel Messi still hold the top spots.
Here’s a look at the top ten of the world’s highest earners as per Forbes.
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10. Joe Burrow – $100 Million
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The Bengals quarterback secured a 5-year, $275 million contract, with $219 million guaranteed.
Burrow’s average salary clocks in at $55 million per year, making him not just one of the best-paid in the NFL, but also across all sports.
9. Lamar Jackson – $100.5 Million
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Jackson’s latest deal with the Baltimore Ravens features a base salary of $20.25 million, a signing bonus of $22.5 million, and workout bonus of $750,000.
His cap hit of $43.5 million reflects his elite quarterback status and he’s now among the few NFL players earning over $100M annually.
8. Stephen Curry – $102 Million
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The Golden State Warriors star signed a $215 million deal over four years, with a base salary of $55.8 million for 2024-25.
Off the court, Curry’s Under Armour deal, production company, and endorsements solidify his spot among the top earners.
7. Karim Benzema – $106 Million
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The former Ballon d'Or winner is now the highest-paid player at Al-Ittihad, pulling in £83 million ($108 million) annually.
Weekly, Benzema pockets approximately $2.08 million, making his Saudi stint one of the most lucrative moves in sports history.
6. Kylian Mbappe – $110 Million
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Mbappe’s move to Real Madrid in July 2024 came with a stunning $100+ million signing bonus.
He earns around $1.49 million per week, including bonuses. With a base salary of $33.8 million and bonuses bringing the total to $77.6 million per year, the 25-year-old is setting new standards in soccer earnings.
5. Giannis Antetokounmpo – $111 Million
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The Greek Freak inked a 3-year, $175.3 million extension with the Milwaukee Bucks.
With an average salary of nearly $58.5 million annually, plus endorsements with brands like Nike, Giannis remains a financial force in the NBA.
4. LeBron James – $128.2 Million
LeBron’s deal with the Los Angeles Lakers of $101.4 million over two years, secures him a $48.7 million base salary for the 2024–25 season.
Combined with his business empire, including a lifetime Nike deal, LeBron continues to redefine athlete entrepreneurship.
3. Lionel Messi – $135 Million
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Messi remains a top earner even in the twilight of his career.
The World Cup winner, currently with MLS side Inter Miami, earns an estimated $12 million gross salary through 2025.
On top of that, lucrative sponsorships and revenue-sharing from MLS ventures like Apple TV significantly boost his total earnings.
2. Jon Rahm – $218 Million
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Rahm’s blockbuster move to LIV Golf transformed his financial trajectory.
With his guaranteed multimillion-dollar signing and yearly payout, the Spanish golfer has capitalized on the Saudi-backed tour’s deep pockets.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo – $260 Million
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Cristiano Ronaldo tops the list, earning a staggering $260 million.
A huge chunk of this comes from his record-breaking deal with Saudi club Al-Nassr, where he earns tens of millions annually.
His massive global brand and endorsement deals further elevate his earnings, making him the undisputed financial king in sports.
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