NEWS
Forbes 2025 Rankings Reveal the World’s Highest-Paid Athletes as Ronaldo Towers Above Global Sports Elite in Historic $275 Million Year
The global sports economy has once again showcased its extraordinary financial power as Forbes’ 2025 ranking of the world’s highest-earning athletes places football icon Cristiano Ronaldo firmly at the summit, following a record-shattering year in which he amassed an estimated $275 million in total earnings.
The list reflects a dynamic mix of football, basketball, boxing, American football, and baseball superstars, highlighting not only massive salaries and prize money, but also the growing influence of endorsements, business ventures, and brand value across international sports.
Ronaldo’s dominance is underpinned by the fact that 82 percent of his earnings came directly from on-field activities, underscoring his continued commercial and competitive relevance even in the later stages of his career. His earning power far exceeds that of any other athlete on the list, reinforcing his status as one of the most marketable sports figures in history.
Basketball superstar Stephen Curry occupies second place with total earnings of $156 million, driven largely by his brand partnerships and business ventures, as only 36 percent of his income came from on-court activities. This trend reflects how elite NBA stars are increasingly building empires beyond basketball.
In third position is British boxing heavyweight Tyson Fury, who generated $146 million, with a staggering 96 percent coming from fight purses, making him one of the most active high-stakes earners inside the ring.
NFL quarterback Dak Prescott ranks fourth with $137 million, with 93 percent derived from football-related income, while Argentine football legend Lionel Messi sits in fifth place with $135 million, fueled by a balanced combination of salary, bonuses, and endorsements.
Veteran basketball icon LeBron James follows closely in sixth place with $133.8 million, continuing to prove that longevity and brand power can coexist at the highest level of professional sports.
Baseball features prominently on the list, with Juan Soto in seventh place at $114 million, Karim Benzema in eighth with $104 million, Shohei Ohtani in ninth at $102.5 million, and Kevin Durant rounding out the top ten with $101.4 million.
Perhaps the most striking contrast on the list is Ohtani’s earnings structure, with only 2 percent of his income coming from on-field sources, reflecting heavy reliance on endorsements and commercial deals tied to his global popularity.
Top 10 Highest-Earning Athletes in the World – 2025:
1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Football) – $275M | 82% on-field
2. Stephen Curry (Basketball) – $156M | 36% on-field
3. Tyson Fury (Boxing) – $146M | 96% on-field
4. Dak Prescott (NFL) – $137M | 93% on-field
5. Lionel Messi (Football) – $135M | 44% on-field
6. LeBron James (Basketball) – $133.8M | 36% on-field
7. Juan Soto (Baseball) – $114M | 96% on-field
8. Karim Benzema (Football) – $104M | 96% on-field
9. Shohei Ohtani (Baseball) – $102.5M | 2% on-field
10. Kevin Durant (Basketball) – $101.4M | 51% on-field
Beyond the raw numbers, the 2025 ranking illustrates how modern athletes are no longer just competitors but global brands, entrepreneurs, and media personalities whose influence stretches far beyond stadiums and arenas.
With stars from Europe, North America, Asia, and South America represented, the list also reinforces the truly global nature of elite sports and the immense financial ecosystem surrounding its biggest icons.