Cristiano Ronaldo has once again clinched the top spot on Forbes’ prestigious list of highest-paid athletes, marking the fourth time in his illustrious career. The Portuguese football icon amassed a staggering $200 million in on-field earnings, coupled with an impressive $60 million from off-field ventures.
Jon Rahm, the Spanish golfer, made waves by securing the second position after his high-profile transition to Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf. Rahm, currently ranked fifth globally, is set to pocket a minimum of $300 million through this move, adding to his existing earnings of $218 million.
Lionel Messi, now with Inter Miami in the Major Soccer League (MLS), claimed the third spot with a total income of $135 million. Despite being 36 years old, Messi continues to command significant earnings, with $65 million stemming from his on-field performances and a substantial $70 million from lucrative endorsements with major brands such as Adidas and Apple.
NBA superstar LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers secured fourth place with earnings totaling $128.2 million, closely followed by Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks, who rounded off the top five with $111 million.
Kylian Mbappe, the dynamic forward for Paris Saint-Germain, slipped to sixth place with earnings reaching $110 million.
Meanwhile, Neymar, formerly of PSG and now with Al Hilal, secured the seventh position despite missing a significant portion of the season due to a torn ACL. Neymar’s total earnings amounted to $108 million, showcasing the enduring financial impact of his brand and career moves.
