In 2025, the world of sports continues to be a lucrative arena, with athletes not only earning massive salaries on the field but also raking in huge sums through endorsements, sponsorships, and business ventures. Forbes recently released its list of the highest-paid athletes globally, and the figures are staggering. Let’s dive into the top 10 highest earners and what sets them apart.
### 1. Cristiano Ronaldo – $275 Million
At 40 years old, Cristiano Ronaldo remains the highest-paid athlete on the planet for the third consecutive year and the fifth time overall. Playing for Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr, Ronaldo earned an astounding $275 million before taxes and agent fees. This includes $225 million from his on-field salary and an additional $50 million from endorsements and business deals. His massive social media following of over 939 million fans worldwide fuels his off-field income, making him a global marketing powerhouse. Ronaldo’s earnings mark the third-highest annual total ever recorded for an active athlete, trailing only Floyd Mayweather’s historic paydays[1][2][3].
### 2. Stephen Curry – $156 Million
Golden State Warriors’ star Stephen Curry ranks second with $156 million, setting a new NBA record for annual earnings. His on-court salary is $56 million, but his off-court endorsements and ventures bring in a whopping $100 million. Curry’s rise is notable not only for his basketball skills but also for his business acumen and marketability. In March 2025, he became the first NBA player to hit 4,000 career three-pointers, further cementing his legacy[1][2][3].
### 3. Tyson Fury – $146 Million
The British heavyweight boxer Tyson Fury earned $146 million, with $140 million coming from prize fights and $6 million from endorsements. Despite losing his world heavyweight titles in late 2024, Fury’s income was bolstered by a Netflix reality show and partnerships promoting Maltese tourism. His ability to leverage his personality and brand beyond the ring keeps him among the top earners in sports[1][3].
### 4. Dak Prescott – $137 Million
NFL quarterback Dak Prescott ranks fourth with $137 million, primarily from his record-breaking contract extension and signing bonuses totaling $127 million, plus $10 million from endorsements. Prescott’s deal with the Dallas Cowboys is one of the richest in NFL history, reflecting his value as a franchise leader and marketable athlete[1][2][3].
### 5. Lionel Messi – $135 Million
The Argentine soccer legend Lionel Messi earned $135 million, with $60 million from his salary at MLS club Inter Miami CF and $75 million from endorsements with global brands like Adidas and Apple. Although he slipped to fifth place, Messi remains one of the most marketable athletes worldwide, combining his on-field excellence with a strong global brand[1][2][3].
### 6. LeBron James – $133.8 Million
NBA icon LeBron James earned a career-best $133.8 million in 2025, with $48.8 million from playing and $85 million from endorsements and business ventures. Nearing the twilight of his career, LeBron continues to dominate both on and off the court, with investments in entertainment and media expanding his influence[1][2][3].
### 7. Juan Soto – $114 Million
At just 26 years old, MLB outfielder Juan Soto signed a historic $765 million, 15-year contract with the New York Mets, making him the seventh highest-paid athlete globally. His $114 million earnings reflect both his on-field salary and endorsements, a record in Major League Baseball[1][2][3].
### 8. Karim Benzema – $104 Million
French striker Karim Benzema, playing for Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad, earned $104 million. His move to the Saudi Pro League has been lucrative, combining a high salary with endorsements in a rapidly growing sports market[1][3].
### 9. Shohei Ohtani – $102.5 Million
Japanese two-way MLB star Shohei Ohtani earned $102.5 million, boosted by his mega-contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers and their 2024 World Series win. Ohtani’s unique talent as both a pitcher and hitter makes him a global sensation, attracting significant endorsement deals[1][3].
### 10. Kevin Durant – $101.4 Million
Rounding out the top 10 is NBA star Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns, with $101.4 million in earnings. His salary and endorsements keep him among basketball’s elite earners, and his business ventures continue to grow[1][3].
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### The Big Picture
The combined earnings of these top 10 athletes total approximately $1.4 billion, marking the largest payout since Forbes began tracking athlete earnings in 1990. Notably, every athlete on this list earned at least $100 million in 2025, a testament to the growing financial power of sports globally.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s dominance is remarkable, especially at age 40, highlighting how athletes today can extend their careers and earning potential through savvy brand management and global appeal. Meanwhile, athletes like Stephen Curry and Juan Soto are setting new records in their respective sports, showing the rising financial stakes across basketball, football, baseball, and boxing.
This list also reflects the increasing influence of the Saudi Pro League, which has attracted several top football stars with lucrative contracts, reshaping the global sports economy.
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### Final Thoughts
The 2025 highest-paid athletes list showcases the blend of talent, marketability, and strategic business moves that define modern sports stardom. From Ronaldo’s global reach to Curry’s record-breaking NBA earnings and Soto’s historic baseball contract, these athletes exemplify how sports and business intersect at the highest levels.
As sports continue to grow in popularity and commercial value worldwide, we can expect these figures to climb even higher in the coming years.
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*Sources: Forbes, ESPN, BBC[1][2][3][4]*
Citations:
[1] These Are The World’s Top-Paid Athletes For The Year, According To Forbes https://www.2oceansvibe.com/2025/05/21/these-are-the-worlds-top-paid-athletes-for-the-year-according-to-forbes/
[2] The World’s 10 Highest-Paid Athletes 2025 https://www.forbes.com/sites/brettknight/2025/05/15/the-worlds-10-highest-paid-athletes-2025/
[3] Ronaldo tops Curry, Fury on Forbes' earnings list https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/45167743/cristiano-ronaldo-tops-forbes-highest-paid-list
[4] Cristiano Ronaldo: Portugal forward tops Forbes highest-paid athlete list in 2025 https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/crljk2kg058o
[5] Why No Women Are Among The World’s 50 Highest-Paid Athletes In 2025 https://www.forbes.com/sites/justinbirnbaum/2025/05/15/why-no-women-are-among-the-worlds-50-highest-paid-athletes-in-2025/
[6] Here Are The World's 10 Highest-Paid Athletes 2025 - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxCbfb99z8A
[7] Forbes 2025 World's Highest-Paid Athletes List https://www.forbes.com/lists/athletes/
[8] The World's Highest-Paid Athletes - Forbes https://www.forbes.com/athletes/list/2/
[9] The World’s Highest-Paid Golfers 2025 https://www.forbes.com/sites/justinbirnbaum/2025/06/11/the-worlds-highest-paid-golfers-2025/