Cristiano Ronaldo tops Forbes’ highest-paid athletes list

Cristiano Ronaldo has once again been named the world’s highest-paid athlete by Forbes, marking his third consecutive year at the top and the fifth time in his career.

Cristiano Ronaldo has retained his position as the world’s highest-paid athlete in Forbes’ latest annual ranking, earning an estimated $275 million over the past year. This marks the third year in a row - and the fifth overall - that the Portuguese football superstar has topped the list.

Following his high-profile move to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr FC, Ronaldo’s earnings were significantly bolstered by both his playing contract and off-field income. His endorsements and sponsorships, amplified by his staggering 939 million social media followers as of May, contributed an additional $15 million to his income.

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry climbed to second place with $156 million. Curry, who became the first NBA player to hit 4,000 career three-pointers earlier this year, continues to benefit from massive endorsement deals and his status as one of basketball’s top global icons.

British boxer Tyson Fury ranked third with $146 million, thanks to sponsorships including Maltese tourism promotions and the success of his Netflix reality show. Despite losing his heavyweight titles to Oleksandr Usyk in December, Fury's commercial appeal remains strong.

NFL quarterback Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys secured fourth place with $137 million. His position was largely driven by a record-breaking signing bonus and a major contract extension that significantly boosted his income.

Lionel Messi, who moved to Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, came in fifth with $135 million - the same amount he earned last year. His endorsement portfolio remains robust, with ongoing partnerships with Adidas and Apple.

Los Angeles Lakers legend LeBron James ranked sixth with $133.8 million as he nears the twilight of his NBA career, maintaining a strong income from his business ventures, endorsements, and media appearances.

The Forbes list highlights how top-tier athletes are increasingly generating vast sums not only through competition but also through strategic branding and media engagement.

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