Top 10 Highest Paid Athletes In The World

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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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.