These Are the Highest-Paid Athletes in the World as of 2025

Professional athletes make millions on and off the field. As of 2025, the 10 highest-paid athletes made between $85.6 million to $285 million. They play several sports, from soccer to football to basketball to golf. Professional athletes also make millions off the field from lucrative endorsements, brand partnerships, and other business ventures.

Here are the 10 highest-paid athletes in the world as of 2025.

Key Takeaways

• Professional athletes make millions on and off the field through lucrative endorsements, brand partnerships, and entrepreneurial ventures.
• Some of the highest-paid athletes made between $85.6 million to $285 million as of 2025.
• Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo is the highest-paid athlete in the world as of 2025, earning an estimated total of $285 million from soccer and his other business ventures.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo: $285 Million

Soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is the highest-paid athlete in the world. Ronaldo earns an estimated $200 million annually under his current contract with Saudi Arabian soccer team Al Nassr, which expires in 2025. He earned an estimated $220 million on the field in 2024 and $65 million off the field. And his brand partnerships with companies are lucrative. The brands include Herbalife, his own CR7 brand that includes apparel, fragrances, and more, and a lifetime deal with Nike.

2. Jon Rahm: $218 Million

Pro golfer Jon Rahm made an estimated total of $218 million in 2024. Rahm left the PGA tour in 2023 to join rival LIV Golf League for a multiyear contract worth over $350 million. Rahm earned $198 million in 2024 on the field and $20 million off the field in 2024. Rahm is the captain of his Saudi-backed LIV Golf League team, Legion XIII, and has a stake in the team.

3. Lionel Messi: $135 Million

Soccer legend Lionel Messi made a total of $135 million in 2024, earning $65 million on the field with Major League Soccer team Inter Miami, and $70 million off the field through his various sponsorship deals and businesses. Messi has brand partnerships with companies including Pepsi, Adidas, Apple, and Lowes, among others. He also has his own brand of clothing, and an extensive real estate portfolio worth millions.

4. LeBron James: $128.7 Million

NBA All-Star LeBron James, a forward for the Los Angeles Lakers, is earning $48.7 million in salary for the 2024-25 season.

Note

LeBron James is currently the highest-paid NBA player, and became the NBA’s first active player to become a billionaire in 2022.

James is also earning an estimated $80 million off the court in endorsements, licensing, and business ventures. James’ brand endorsements include Nike, DraftKings, PepsiCo, and more.

5. Neymar: $110 Million

Brazilian soccer player Neymar made an estimated $110 million in 2024, earning $80 million on the field with Saudi Arabian team Al Hilal, and $30 million off the field in endorsements and sponsorships. The soccer superstar also has partnerships with brands including Puma, Skims, Red Bull, Blaze Casino, Qatar Airways, and more.

6. Stephen Curry: $105.8 Million

NBA champion Stephen Curry earned an estimated $105.8 million in 2024, earning $55.8 million as the superstar point guard for the Golden State Warriors, and another $50 million off the court. Curry’s partnerships and businesses include his sneaker and athletic wear company, Curry Brand, a production company, and a liquor brand.

7. Karim Benzema: $104 Million

French soccer player Karim Benzema earned $104 million in 2024, earning $100 million on the field and $4 million off the field. Benzema has a sponsorship deal with Adidas.

8. Giannis Antetokuonmpo: $93.8 Million

NBA player Giannis Antetokuonmpo earned $93.8 million in 2024. Antetokuonmpo earned $48.8 million as a forward for the Milwaukee Bucks, and $45 million off the court. Antetokuonmpo has deals with brands such as Nike, Google, PepsiCo, and Amazon, and he launched his own production company, Improbable Media.

9. Kylian Mbappé: $90 Million

French soccer star Kylian Mbappé earned an estimated $90 million in 2024, earning $70 million from playing on Real Madrid, and $20 million off the field from endorsements and other ventures. Mbappé’s brand partnerships include Nike and Hublot, and his own production company, Zebra Valley, which is partnered with the NBA.

10. Jared Goff: $85.6 Million

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff earned an estimated $85.6 million in 2024. Goff signed a four-year contract worth $212 million with the Lions, and earns an average annual salary of $53 million. Goff’s brand deals include Netflix, Ford, Old Spice, Jared Jewelers, and has his own line of clothing, JG16.

The Bottom Line

As of 2025, the highest-paid athlete was Cristiano Ronaldo, who brought in $285 million. The top 10 highest-paid players include just a kid from Akron, Ohio (LeBron James), with $128.7 million for 2024-2025, and pro golfer Jon Rahm, who plays for LIV Golf, with $218 million in 2024. Rounding out the list was the tenth highest-paid player, Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff, who raked in an estimated $85.6 million in 2024.