Top 10 Richest Athletes in the World- Ranked

By and large, the sports industry is one of the largest and most profitable in the world. With the 50 most richest athletes in the world hauling in an estimated $3.88 billion over the last 12 months, it is certainly understandable why. That said, these high-profile athletes come from a variety of different sports and over the past few years and decades have certainly left a mark in their respective fields. 

Whilst these athletes have been compensated fairly for their performances and all that they have delivered, there are also the additional factors related to their sponsorships, endorsements, and other ventures, which play a key role in the wealth they have accumulated and in turn made them some of the richest athletes in the world. With tens of millions of dollars added to their already immense fortune, it truly makes for some awe-inspiring figures. 

Keeping in mind only active athletes for our list, there are some names that stand out ahead of the rest and some by quite a fair margin. These top-tier athletes are some of the best in their respective fields and have been dominating the stage year in, and year out. Whilst some names on this list may be past their prime and the click may well be winding down on their professional careers, but they have still made more than enough to live comfortably after their career and sustain generations to come.

List of Richest Athletes in the World  

We have ranked the richest athletes in the world based on their salary, and earnings, taking into account both their on-the-field and off-the-field earnings. With that said, let’s take a look at the eminent list of the top 10 richest athletes in the world in 2025.

Also Read: Top 10 Greatest Athletes Of All Time

#10. Lamar Jackson 

Lamar Jackson finds himself as the first name on the list due to his eye-watering new contract with the Baltimore Ravens, signed last year. With a reported $72.5 million signing bonus, Jackson lived up to the high expectations by earning a second NFL MVP award while being a key part of the Ravens side that lifted the AFC Central division title.

Not only that but Lamar is also said to be working closely with Oakley and StatusPro, the makers of the NFL Pro Era virtual reality video game. In addition to this, his soul food restaurant, production company, record label, and clothing line (Era 8) further boosted his off-the-field earnings, helping him cross the $100 million mark. 

#9. Stephen Curry

On the field, Steph Curry has continued his sharpshooting exploits, which has led to his leading three-pointers in the NFL this season, with 357. Not just that but he has also found a spot on the US Men’s Olympic roster as well. That said, Curry has made a lot of ground with his off-the-field ventures, securing a $75 million stock in Under Armour which will be vesting in equal installments between 2029 and 2034. 

The Curry Brand has also expanded with the likes of Sacramento Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox in October and South Carolina guard MiLaysia Fulwiley now under their name as well. If reports are to be believed, Curry will soon make his way to the big screen, set to star in a mockumentary series on Peacock.

#8. Karim Benzema

Having won the Ballon d’Or in his final season at the Bernabeu with Real Madrid, it made for the perfect sendoff and start to his next chapter at Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia. Now seemingly closer to his roots and his religion, Benzema is living the dream, playing the sport he loves and garnering a solid amount of wealth in the process. Despite a tough start to life at his new home, Benzema has shown why he deserves to be paid the big bucks and what he brings to the table. 

Despite being 36 years old, Karim Benzema still has a lot to give and as a result, Al-Ittihad has made him one of the richest athletes in the world for it. 

#7. Neymar

By and large many will agree that Neymar’s time at Al Hilal and Saudi Arabia as a whole has not been the most fruitful. Having starred in only a handful of games since he signed, the Brazilian has been out of action for long spells owing to a torrid time dealing with injuries. That said, it does not take away from the fact that he is still paid a fortune and availed of a private jet, a fleet of luxury cars, and a fully staffed mansion.

In addition to this, he has extended his portfolio of extremely profitable endorsements with Puma, Skims, and supposedly a brand that will see him develop his own line of mocktails and cocktails. 

#6. Kylian Mbappe

When the young Frenchman first arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu, he was expected to be the man to take them a level up and be the final piece of the puzzle. A move years in the making that finally happened but seemed to yield mixed results for quite some time. However, as is the mark of any great player, Mbappe soon found his goalscoring form and is back to bagging the way he has for a few years now. 

At the same time, his massive sign-on bonus during his transfer from PSG to Real Madrid helps him find his place on this list as one of the richest athletes in the world. 

#5. Giannis Antetokounmpo

With a calf injury debilitating his form during the previous season, it merely summarised the year that the Milwaukee Bucks had as a whole, factoring in the departure of their coach and their embarrassing first-round playoff exit. That said, Giannis as an athlete has continued to shine off the field, having launched a production company of his own, signed a partnership with Pepsi’s Starry soft drink, and gotten a sixth signature sneaker with Nike, the year has certainly been kind to the 29-year-old in a different way. 

#4. LeBron James

The next entry on our list is none other than King James himself who at the age of 39 is still going strong as the face of the NBA and the star man for the Los Angeles Lakers. With his time with the Lakers nearing its end, the power forward is holding out hope that he can share the court with his son Bronny before he hangs up the boots. A four-time MVP and having represented his country at the Olympics again recently, LeBron has had quite a year. 

As for the future, he has already penned a sponsorship with DraftKings and invested in PGA Tour Enterprises. 

#3. Lionel Messi 

Having penned the perfect ending to his international career, Messi won the 2022 FIFA World Cup which was followed by a move to the USA and Inter Miami in the MLS. Whilst things have been seemingly on easy mode for the Argentinian ever since, joining up with some of his FC Barcelona colleagues in the process as well. At the same time, Messi has signed a slew of lucrative sponsorships which includes the most valuable jersey deal in MLS history, in addition to Lowe’s, Adidas, Apple, and Konami. At the same time, he has even launched a drink brand of his own named Mas+.

#2. Jon Rahm

Having joined the Saudi-backed tour of LIV Golf for a $350 million guarantee, Jon Rahm earned approximately $6.6 million from seven tournaments in 2024, which was before his LIV event in September. As such, it placed him sixth on the PGA Tour’s official money list last season. Along with this, however, he was set to be the captain of LIV’s 13th team, Legion XIII, which is said to come with a 25% equity stake in the league’s franchises. Thus, all of these factors combined place him highly among the richest athletes in the world. 

#1. Cristiano Ronaldo

Without a shadow of a doubt, the richest athlete in the world for a few years running continues to be the Portuguese superstar, and Al-Nassr talisman, Cristiano Ronaldo himself. Following an incredibly successful career, the Saudis backed Ronaldo to become the face of the SPL and the star man has delivered, continuing to shatter goalscoring records at the ripe age of 39. With an extremely lucrative $200 million annual salary at Al-Nassr, Ronaldo was always a shoo-in for the top spot.

In addition to this, his deals with Nike, Herbalife, Clear Haircare, and, more recently, Whoop and many other brands and his recent $10 million + settlement with former club Juventus, further solidify his position at the top and possibly for a few more years to come.

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