Cristiano Ronaldo Retains Crown As World’s Highest-Paid Athlete For Third Year Running.
Cristiano Ronaldo has once again been named the world’s highest-paid athlete by Forbes, securing the top spot for the third consecutive year and the fifth time in his illustrious career. The business magazine reports that the 40-year-old Portugal forward, now plying his trade with Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, has boosted his estimated total earnings by $15m to a staggering $275m (£206.6m).
This figure places Ronaldo among the all-time elite, surpassed only by former world champion boxer Floyd Mayweather, who earned $300m (£194m) in 2015 and $275m (£205m) in 2018. Since joining Al Nassr in December 2022, Ronaldo’s lucrative move to Saudi Arabia has been complemented by a surge in off-field income, driven by endorsements and sponsorship deals. His unparalleled social media presence, with a following of 939 million, has further amplified his commercial appeal.
NBA star Stephen Curry, the Golden State Warriors guard who made history in March as the first basketball player to reach 4,000 career three-pointers, has climbed to second place with earnings of $156m (£117.2m). British boxing sensation Tyson Fury rounds out the top three, banking $146m (£109.7m) despite losing his world heavyweight titles to Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk in December. Fury’s financial success has been bolstered by a Netflix reality television series and a partnership with Maltese tourism.
Ronaldo’s long-time rival, Lionel Messi, has slipped to fifth with $135m (£101.4m), overtaken by American football quarterback Dak Prescott, who earned $137m (£103m). Other notable names in the top 10 include basketball icon LeBron James ($133.8m, £105.5m), baseball stars Juan Soto ($114m, £85.7m) and Shohei Ohtani ($102.5m, £77m), footballer Karim Benzema ($104m, £78.2m), and NBA veteran Kevin Durant ($101.4m, £76.2m).
Forbes’ 2025 list underscores the growing financial clout of athletes across diverse sports, with football, basketball, boxing, and baseball dominating the rankings. Ronaldo’s enduring dominance, both on and off the pitch, cements his status as a global sporting and commercial juggernaut.
World’s Top 10 Highest-Paid Athletes 2025
(All figures approximate)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Football): $275m (£206.6m)
Stephen Curry (Basketball): $156m (£117.2m)
Tyson Fury (Boxing): $146m (£109.7m)
Dak Prescott (American Football): $137m (£103m)
Lionel Messi (Football): $135m (£101.4m)
LeBron James (Basketball): $133.8m (£105.5m)
Juan Soto (Baseball): $114m (£85.7m)
Karim Benzema (Football): $104m (£78.2m)
Shohei Ohtani (Baseball): $102.5m (£77m)
Kevin Durant (Basketball): $101.4m (£76.2m).
