Cristiano Ronaldo Remains World’s Highest-Paid Athlete, Extending Lead Over Lionel Messi
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Cristiano Ronaldo has solidified his position as the world’s highest-paid athlete, renewing his contract with Al-Nassr through June 2027 and maintaining a significant financial advantage over longtime rival Lionel Messi. According to a recent ranking by Sporty, a leading outlet covering the business of sports, Ronaldo’s total earnings for the year reached $260 million, further cementing his status as a global icon both on and off the pitch.
Ronaldo’s Financial Dominance
The renewed contract with Al-Nassr positions Ronaldo at the top of Sporty’s annual list of the 100 best-paid athletes. The Portuguese superstar earned $200 million in salary and winnings, supplemented by an additional $60 million in endorsements, matching his earnings from the previous year. Sporty noted that the salary figures are based on weighted averages from the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons for both soccer and basketball athletes.
This financial success extends beyond the field, as Ronaldo officially joined the billionaire-athlete club last October, as reported by Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index – a first for any soccer player. His estimated net worth of $1.4 billion places him in a financial echelon previously occupied by sports legends like Michael Jordan and Roger Federer.
Messi Trails in Second
While Lionel Messi continues to be a highly marketable athlete, his earnings fall considerably short of Ronaldo’s. As the face of Inter Miami and Major League Soccer, Messi earned a total of $130 million, comprised of $60 million in salary and winnings and $70 million through endorsements. This total was not enough to secure him the second-place spot on Sporty’s list.
Instead, boxer Canelo Alvarez edged out Messi, totaling $137 million following high-profile fights against William Scull and Terence Crawford. This highlights the earning potential in other sports, even as soccer continues to dominate the upper ranks of the list.
Soccer’s Strong Representation in the Top 100
Soccer boasts a significant presence in Sporty’s top 100, with numerous players from leagues around the world earning substantial incomes. Beyond Ronaldo and Messi, several other prominent soccer stars made the list:
- 6th: Karim Benzema – Al-Ittihad: $115M
- 12th: Kylian Mbappé – Real Madrid: $95M
- 18th: Erling Haaland – Manchester City: $77.9M
- 30th: Neymar – Santos: $60M
- 34th: Vinícius Júnior – Real Madrid: $58M
- 43rd: Mohamed Salah – Liverpool: $54M
- 45th: Riyad Mahrez – Al-Ahli: $53.5M
- 52nd: Sadio Mané – Al-Nassr: $50M
- 75th: Harry Kane – Bayern Munich: $43.3M
- 86th: Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid: $39.5M
- 96th: Robert Lewandowski – Barcelona: $38M
This demonstrates the global appeal and financial power of the sport, with players earning top dollar across various leagues, from Saudi Arabia and MLS to Europe and South America.
The Top 10 Highest-Paid Athletes
The top 10 list showcases a diverse mix of stars from various sports:
- Cristiano Ronaldo (soccer, Al-Nassr): $200M / $60M / $260M
- Canelo Alvarez (boxing): $125M / $12M / $137M
- Lionel Messi (soccer, Inter Miami CF): $60M / $70M / $130M
- Juan Soto (baseball, New York Mets): $122.2M / $7M / $129.2M
- LeBron James (basketball, Los Angeles Lakers): $48.7M / $80M / $128.7M
- Karim Benzema (soccer, Al-Ittihad): $110M / $5M / $115M
- Stephen Curry (basketball, Golden State Warriors): $55.4M / $50M / $105.4M
- Shohei Ohtani (baseball, Los Angeles Dodgers): $2.5M / $100M / $102.5M
- Kevin Durant (basketball, Houston Rockets): $50.8M / $50M / $100.8M
- Jon Rahm (golf): $84.7M / $16M / $100.7M
Ronaldo’s continued dominance at the top of the list underscores his enduring appeal and financial influence, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest – and most lucrative – athletes of all time.
