At 40, Cristiano Ronaldo may be nearing the end of his legendary playing career, but financially, he remains untouchable. For the third consecutive year—and the fifth time overall—the Portuguese football icon has claimed the top spot on Forbes’ list of the world’s highest-paid athletes. In 2025 alone, Ronaldo earned a staggering $275 million, setting a new personal and global benchmark.
This figure is not only a reflection of Ronaldo’s enduring popularity and performance but also his transformation into a global commercial empire. From pitch dominance to brand power, Ronaldo represents the evolution of elite athletes into international financial juggernauts.
Collectively, the top 10 highest-paid athletes of 2025 raked in $1.38 billion before taxes and agent fees—just shy of the all-time record in 2023. Their stories highlight shifting economic dynamics in sports, geopolitical investments in talent, and the growing influence of athlete-owned brands and media ventures.
Let’s break down the top earners and what their wealth says about modern sport.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo – $275 Million (Football)
Still breaking records at 40, Cristiano Ronaldo topped the list with an astonishing $275 million in total earnings. Approximately $200 million came from his playing contract with Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, as part of the kingdom’s ambitious efforts to transform its footballing profile.
The rest? Branding power. His CR7 empire, global endorsements, and social media influence—boasting nearly a billion followers—cement his status as the world’s most marketable athlete. Ronaldo’s move to Saudi Arabia wasn’t just a football decision; it was a seismic shift in the global sports economy, influencing the arrival of stars like Karim Benzema and Neymar to the region.
2. Stephen Curry – $156 Million (Basketball)
Stephen Curry is proof that dominance on the court can translate into even greater success off it. In 2025, the Golden State Warriors star earned $156 million, with roughly $50 million coming from his NBA salary.
What drives his wealth is his business acumen. A lifetime partnership with Under Armour, reportedly worth over $1 billion, combined with his own Curry Brand and investments in tech startups, has positioned Curry as a commercial giant. At 36, he’s not just extending his legacy on the hardwood but building a business empire that’s poised to outlast his playing career.
3. Tyson Fury – $146 Million (Boxing)
Despite not being the undisputed heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury remains boxing’s biggest box-office star. In 2025, he pulled in $146 million, thanks to two major fights, blockbuster Pay-Per-View deals, and his popular Netflix reality series.
Fury’s success signals that boxing, though often seen as waning, still has the power to generate massive revenue—especially when personalities like his keep the spotlight burning. His brand is built on charisma, controversy, and a loyal fan base, making him a case study in how spectacle and sports still go hand in hand.
4. Dak Prescott – $137 Million (American Football)
Dak Prescott had a financially explosive year, earning $137 million in 2025. The Dallas Cowboys quarterback secured a $240 million contract extension, heavily front-loaded with bonuses that significantly boosted his annual income.
Beyond the gridiron, Prescott is a marketing magnet, with endorsement deals from AT&T, Beats by Dre, and Adidas. In a physically brutal league where career longevity is rare, Prescott’s combination of performance and clean public image proves that NFL quarterbacks remain among the most bankable figures in American sports.
5. Lionel Messi – $135 Million (Football)
Lionel Messi’s 2023 move to Inter Miami reshaped American soccer, and in 2025, it continues to pay dividends. With $135 million in annual earnings, the Argentine legend is reaping the rewards of innovative commercial deals tied to his MLS move.
Messi’s salary is impressive, but the real value lies in revenue-sharing agreements with Apple, Adidas, and Major League Soccer, including bonuses for subscriber growth and merchandise sales. As the 2026 World Cup nears—hosted in the U.S.—Messi’s status as a continental icon will only grow stronger.
6. LeBron James – $133.8 Million (Basketball)
At 40, LeBron James continues to show the world how to turn elite athleticism into lasting business success. With $133.8 million earned in 2025, most of which came from off-court ventures, James remains the standard-bearer for athlete entrepreneurs.
His production company SpringHill, investments in Blaze Pizza and Fenway Sports Group, and his lifetime deal with Nike have turned him into a mogul. LeBron is no longer just playing the game—he’s defining the future of athlete wealth and influence.
7. Juan Soto – $114 Million (Baseball)
Juan Soto made headlines with his blockbuster move to the New York Yankees, and the financial impact followed. His 10-year, $700 million contract—baseball’s richest on an annual basis—brought in $114 million in 2025, much of it via signing bonuses.
Soto represents a generational shift in Major League Baseball, where younger, globally marketable Latino stars are driving the game’s resurgence. His rise is emblematic of baseball’s strategy to tap into international markets and refresh its superstar ranks.
8. Karim Benzema – $104 Million (Football)
Following in Ronaldo’s footsteps, Karim Benzema made the high-profile leap to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad, earning him $104 million this year. Despite dealing with injuries and inconsistent form, Benzema’s contract remains among the most lucrative in football.
More than just a financial windfall, his move underscores the Saudi Pro League’s strategy of leveraging big-name stars to enhance global recognition. Benzema’s legacy is now as much about pioneering football’s next financial frontier as it is about goals and trophies.
9. Shohei Ohtani – $102.5 Million (Baseball)
Shohei Ohtani, the phenomenal two-way star from Japan, secured a historic $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers—though much of it is deferred. Nevertheless, in 2025, he earned $102.5 million, bolstered heavily by off-field income.
Ohtani brought in over $50 million in endorsements, a record for an MLB player. With fans across Asia and the U.S., Ohtani is not just a baseball player—he’s a global brand, transcending borders and redefining what it means to be a superstar in America’s pastime.
10. Kevin Durant – $101.4 Million (Basketball)
Kevin Durant rounds out the list with $101.4 million in earnings, blending NBA salary, equity stakes, and endorsements. A quiet operator off the court, Durant’s investments in tech, cryptocurrency, and media ventures like Boardroom and 35V reflect his vision beyond basketball.
His partnership with Nike continues to generate millions, but more importantly, Durant is building a financial portfolio that reflects the new-age athlete—smart, strategic, and deeply embedded in Silicon Valley-style entrepreneurship.
Final Thoughts: The Business of Being a Superstar
From Ronaldo’s social media empire to Ohtani’s East-West appeal and LeBron’s entertainment ventures, the world’s top athletes are no longer just performers—they’re CEOs, influencers, and global investors. The 2025 list reflects a new sporting economy where playing skills are only part of the story.
In this era, brand power, business savvy, and strategic partnerships define elite athletic success just as much as goals, points, or wins. As the lines between sport, media, tech, and entertainment continue to blur, these athletes aren’t just cashing checks—they’re rewriting the rules of what it means to win.
