Whether it’s an individual sport or a team sport, physical activity plays a big part in some people’s daily lives. While we keep our own bodies in shape in the gym, we admire the great athletes of our time on the screen. The world of sport is not only known for excellence and competition, but also for the immense financial reward achieved by some of the world’s best athletes. From football to basketball, boxing to tennis, professional athletes around the world have built enormous fortunes. This is not only through the performance they deliver in the sport alone, but also through sponsorship, clever marketing and entrepreneurship. But who are the richest athletes and how much do they earn?
Overview: Top 10 richest athletes worldwide
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1st place: Christiano Ronaldo (136 million US dollars)
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2nd place: Lionel Messi (130 million US dollars)
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3rd place: Kylian Mbappé (120 million US dollars)
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4th place: LeBron James (119.5 million US dollars)
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5th place: Canelo Alvarez (110 million US dollars)
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6th place: Dustin Johnson (107 million US dollars)
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7th place: Phil Mickelson (106 million US dollars)
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8th place: Stephen Curry (100.4 million US dollars)
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9th place: Roger Federer (95.1 million US dollars)
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10th place: Kevin Durant ($89.1 million)
The values are based on the analysis of the business magazine Forbes between May 2022 and May 2023. The data comes from various sources, such as industry insiders, sports management companies, news reports and salary databases. Forbes The analysis takes into account not only the salary of the respective athletes, but also other income generated through advertising or sponsorship contracts.
The richest athlete in the world: Christiano Ronaldo
Not surprisingly, Portuguese footballer Christiano Ronaldo, with a total annual income of 136 million US dollars the highest paid sportsman in the world. The footballer was born on February 5, 1985 in Portugal and began his career in 2002. According to Forbes Ronaldo earns around 46 million US dollars a year from his sport, while his other income off the field amounts to around 90 million US dollars. The footballer currently plays in Saudi Arabia for the club al-NASSR FC.
Second richest athlete in the world: Lionel Messi
We stay with football and change the player: Lionel Messi, born on June 24, 1987 in Argentina, ranks with a total income of around 130 million US dollars 2nd place of the richest athletes in the world. According to Forbes His total earnings are divided into two parts: On the field he earns around 65 million US dollars a year and off the field, for example through sponsorship contracts or advertising revenue, also 65 million US dollars. Messi has a lifetime contract with Adidas and has founded his own fashion label. The footballer played as a striker for Paris Saint-Germain until the end of June 2023. It has now been confirmed that he will continue his career in Miami.
In third place among the richest athletes: Kylian Mbappé
The third place of the richest athletes in the world is also occupied by a footballer: Kylian Mbappé was born on 20 December 1998 in Paris and has a total annual income of around 120 million US dollars. How Forbes reports, he earns a large part of it through his own efforts on the field, around 100 million US dollars, while he earns around 20 million US dollars a year from other income. At the 2018 World Cup, the then 19-year-old was the second youngest soccer player to take part in the World Cup. Mbappé currently plays for Paris Saint-Germain.
LeBron James ranks 4th among the richest athletes in the world
You can not only accumulate a fortune with football, you can also earn a lot of money with basketball. This is demonstrated by the successful basketball player LeBron James, born on December 30, 1984 in Ohio, USA. According to Forbes on 119.5 million US dollars. He earns most of his money through additional income of around 75 million US dollars. How Forbes reported that the basketball player founded an elementary school with his foundation in 2018 and donated 40 million US dollars to provide children with education. James currently plays for the Los Angeles Lakers.
5th place of the richest athletes in the world: Canelo Alvarez
A sport that has not been mentioned yet: boxing. Boxer Canelo Alvarez discovered this sport for himself and celebrated many successes that brought him financial wealth. The professional boxer was born on July 18, 1990 in Mexico. He competes around 110 million US dollars annually, making him the fifth richest athlete. He earns just 10 million US dollars, according to Forbes through income off the field. Alvarez also places great value on good food: he owns a taco restaurant in Mexico.
Dustin Johnson ranks 6th among the richest athletes
The sport that made Dustin Johnson famous has less to do with fighting and more to do with balls that you don’t touch with your feet: The sport is called golf and Dustin Johnson is almost always associated with golf. No wonder – with a total income of around 107 million US dollars a year, he is one of the richest athletes in the world. How Forbes reported that the 39-year-old earns around 105 million US dollars from his appearances on the field.
Ranked 7th richest athlete in the world: Phil Meckelson
The equally famous golfer, Phil Meckelson, born on June 16, 1970, has a total income of 106 million US dollars to the seventh place of the richest athletes in the world. He earns two million of his total assets from other sources of income, such as Forbes reported. In 2021, Mickelson won the PGA Championship at the age of 50, becoming the oldest major winner in golf history.
Stephen Curry ranks 8th among the richest athletes in the world
Basketball player Stephen Curry makes it to the top with a total income of 100.4 million US dollars to the eighth place of the richest athletes in the world. According to Forbes The 35-year-old earns around $52 million from off-field income and $48.4 million from his own on-field work. The Curry collection competes with Forbes According to Nike’s Jordan brand, the American currently plays for the Golden State Warriors team.
9th richest athlete in the world: Roger Federer
It is not only basketball that makes you build a fortune. Roger Federer has a total annual income of 95.1 million US dollars Federer was born on August 8, 1981 in Switzerland and invested part of his fortune in the foundation he founded, around 50 million US dollars according to Forbes, in the education of 1.5 million African children. The tennis player earns approximately 95 million US dollars from activities and income off the court, which is because he is no longer an active tennis player and has ended his career after more than 20 years.
Kevin Durant ranks 10th among the richest athletes in the world
The American basketball player Kevin Durant earns a total annual income of around 89.1 million US dollarsThe 34-year-old currently plays for the Phoenix Suns. He earns around $44.1 million from his active participation in games and around $45 million from other income. Forbes According to Durant, his company 35V has invested in more than 80 companies.
