In 2025, some of the world’s top athletes are earning huge amounts of money through their sports, brand deals and businesses. These athletes come from football, basketball, golf and other popular games. Their earnings include salaries, match winnings and endorsements from big companies. Let’s look at the top-10 highest-paid athletes in the world this year and see how much they are earning.
In 2025, the world’s highest-paid athletes earned record-breaking amounts. Football legend Cristiano Ronaldo topped the list with $260 million, followed by golfer Jon Rahm and football star Lionel Messi. Other top earners included LeBron James, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar. These athletes made money not just from playing sports, but also from big brand deals, business ventures and sponsorships. Their success shows how talent, fame and smart deals can turn sports stars into global millionaires.
Football legend, Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal, holds the title of highest-paid athlete in the world with the total earnings of $260 million, followed by Jon Rahm and Lionel Messi.
Here is the list of top-10 highest-paid athletes in the world by 2025:
| Rank | Name | Sport | Nationality | Earnings |
| 1. | Cristiano Ronaldo | Football | Portugal | $260 million |
| 2. | Jon Rahm | Golf | Spain | $218 million |
| 3. | Lionel Messi | Football | Argentine | $135 million |
| 4. | LeBron James | Basketball | United States | $128.2 million |
| 5. | Giannis Antetokounmpo | Basketball | Greece | $111 million |
| 6. | Kylian Mbappé | Football | France | $110 million |
| 7. | Neymar | Football | Brazil | $108 million |
| 8. | Karim Benzema | Football | France | $106 million |
| 9. | Stephen Curry | Basketball | United States | $102 million |
| 10. | Lamar Jackson | American Football | United States | $100.5 million |
Cristiano Ronaldo is the highest-paid athlete in the world in 2025. He plays for AI Nassr in Saudi Arabia and earns around $200 million from his salary alone. He also makes big money from brand deals with Nike, Herbalife and Binance. Ronaldo is not just a football player – he is a global brand.
Golfer Jon Rahm signed a huge $350 million deal with LIV Golf. He now leads his own golf team, Legion XIII, and owns 25% of it. His smart move into business and golf management help him become the second-richest athlete this year.
Lionel Messi plays for Inter Miami in the U.S. His arrival has made the club very popular and more valuable. Messi’s income comes from his salary, ticket sales and endorsement with Apple, Adidas and Konami. He’s also the first MLS player to get five assists in one match.
At 40, LeBron James is still a star. He signed a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers worth $97 million. He also won a gold medal at the 2024 Olympics. LeBron has big deals with Nike and owns many businesses, making him the highest-paid player in NBA history.
Giannis plays for the Milwaukee Bucks and earned $46 million from playing basketball and $65 million from brand deals. He launched his own production company and a new Nike shoe, the Giannis Freak 6. Even with injuries, he remains a top earner.
Mbappé joined Real Madrid after leaving PSG. He has endorsement deals with Nike and Oakley and owns a media company that works with the NBA. He is known for smart business choices and strong football skills, which help him earn big.
Neymar now plays for AI Hilal in Saudi Arabia. Even though he had an injury last year, his income stayed high. He works with Puma and the fashion brand Skims. He also launched his own line of mocktails and cocktails, adding to his wealth.
Benzema signed a three-year deal with Saudi club AI Ittihad. He also earns money from brands like Adidas, EA Sports and Hyundai. His Ballon d’Or win made him even more marketable around the world.
Stephen Curry is still a top NBA player and has scored the most 3-pointers. He won gold at the 2024 Olympics and has a lifetime deal with Under Armour. He is also an investor in a new women’s basketball league called Unrivaled.
Lamar Jackson is the only NFL player in the top 10. He negotiated his own contractor with the Baltimore Ravens, getting a $72.5 million bonus. He also owns a fashion brand, Era 8 and has deals with Oakley and StatusPro.
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