In 2024, the top 10 highest paid athletes in the world list is ruler by footballers and basketball players. Legendary players Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and young star Kylian Mbappé are placed at the top 3 spots. Ronaldo kicked Messi off the top spot with a jaw-dropping $500 million, the 25-year-old Mbappé burst onto the scene at #3 with a whopping $120 million! We also had golfer Dustin Johnson swing his way to the sixth place with $107 million.
Highest Paid Athlete
These athletes are more than just stars in their sports they’re global icons whose influence reaches far beyond stadiums. Their success, a mix of amazing skills on the field and big deals off it shows how sports have become a huge money-making business.
Highest Paid Athlete in the World in 2024
In 2024, the highest-paid athlete in the world is Cristiano Ronaldo, who leads with an impressive $500 million net worth. This figure comes from the on-field contract in sports, alongside a richest athlete in the world with off-field endorsement portfolio. Apart from playing soccer, Ronaldo also makes money by promoting products . Big companies like Nike, emirates and more think that if Ronaldo uses or likes something, then his fans will too. So, they pay him to talk about their products, like sports shoes, clothes, and even watches. Ronaldo’s earnings highlight his exceptional skills and global fan following, making him the top earner in the sports world for the year.
Also check – Cristiano Ronaldo Net Worth (Highest Paid Athlete in 2024)
Top 10 Highest-Paid Athletes in the World
1. Cristiano Ronaldo
In 2024, football star Cristiano Ronaldo went beyond just playing well, he became the highest-earning athlete worldwide. With a staggering $500 million in total, his earnings prove his exceptional athleticism and unmatched popularity. Ronaldo earned a significant $46 million from playing football and an even more substantial $90 million from product promotions, illustrating his global charm and success as a brand spokesperson.
Cristiano Ronaldo
- Salary: $46 Million
- Net Worth: $ 500 Million
- Age: 39 years
- Sport: Football (Soccer)
Ronaldo works with big names like Nike and Clear, contributing to his impressive earnings. His consistent great performance on the field, charismatic personality, and broad influence mark him as more than just a great footballer. Ronaldo is a powerful figure in business and endorsements, too.
Titles Won
- UEFA Champions League titles (multiple times with Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus)
- Domestic league titles (Premier League with Manchester United, La Liga with Real Madrid, Serie A with Juventus)
- FIFA Club World Cup titles (with Manchester United and Real Madrid)
- UEFA European Championship (with Portugal in 2016)
2. Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi, a soccer superstar, earned a whopping $600 million in 2024. Half of his earnings, $65 million, came from his fantastic soccer skills. The other half was from endorsements, proving his ability to balance his sports talent and profitable off-field activities. Messi’s unique skills charm fans all over the world. It unlocks sports success and a huge money shower.
Lionel Messi
- Net Worth: $ 600 Million
- Salary: $35 Million
- Age: 36 years
- Sport: Football (Soccer)
There’s a neat tie between his sports victories and his popularity. This highlights Messi’s global impact, painting him not just as a soccer legend but also as a business giant. We see a merge of sports talent and business wit in Messi’s money win. His talent to amaze and inspire goes beyond the soccer field, cementing his spot as one of the best-paid and most impactful athletes in the world.
Titles Won
- UEFA Champions League titles (multiple times with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain)
- Domestic league titles (La Liga with Barcelona, Ligue 1 with Paris Saint-Germain)
- Copa del Rey titles (with Barcelona)
3. Kylian Mbappé
Kylian Mbappé, the youthful soccer sensation, claims the third spot with an impressive $120 million in total earnings for the year 2023. His on-field prowess contributes a substantial $100 million to this sum, emphasizing the remarkable growth of his soccer talent at such a young age. In addition to his on-field success, endorsements worth $20 million further highlight Mbappé’s marketability and global appeal.
Kylian Mbappe
- Salary: $9 Million
- Net Worth: $160 million
- Age: 25 years
- Sport: Football (Soccer)
The balance between his athletic achievements and off-field business engagements showcases not only his proficiency on the soccer field but also his emerging status as a marketable and globally recognized figure.
Mbappé’s ability to seamlessly blend skill and commercial appeal positions him as a rising star not just in the realm of soccer but also in the broader landscape of sports and entertainment.
Titles Won
- FIFA World Cup (with the French national team in 2018).
- Ligue 1 titles (with Paris Saint-Germain).
- Coupe de France titles (with Paris Saint-Germain).
4. LeBron James
In fourth place, basketball star LeBron James earned a whopping $119.5 million in 2023. The majority of this sum, $84.5 million, comes from his exceptional basketball performance. His game on the court is matched only by the additional $35 million he pockets from various partnerships, highlighting his far-reaching popularity outside of the sport.
LeBron James
- Net Worth: $1 Billion
- Age: 39 years
- Sport: Basketball
Titles Won
- NBA Championships (multiple times with Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Los Angeles Lakers).
- NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards (multiple times).
- Olympic gold medals (with the United States national basketball team).
He isn’t just a basketball superstar but also a powerful figure in business and advertising. LeBron James stands as a testament to the evolving role of athletes as global brand ambassadors, transcending the boundaries of their respective sports.
5. Canelo Álvarez
In the world of sports, boxing legend Canelo Álvarez secures the fifth position, amassing a formidable $110 million in earnings for the year 2023. What sets Álvarez apart is the equilibrium in his income streams, with an equal distribution of $55 million from both winnings and endorsements. This balanced financial portfolio showcases not only his prowess within the boxing ring but also his marketability and global appeal as a sporting icon.
Canelo Alvarez
- Net Worth: $275 Million
- Age: 33 years
- Sport: Boxing
Titles Won
- Multiple world championships in various weight classes (e.g., middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight).
- Lineal championships in different weight divisions.
- WBC, WBA, and IBF titles in various weight categories.
- Ring Magazine titles in multiple weight divisions.
- The Ring magazine Fighter of the Year.
His fifth-place ranking among the world’s highest-paid athletes solidifies Álvarez’s status as not just a boxing sensation but a well-rounded athlete who navigates the realms of both athletic excellence and commercial success with finesse.
6. Dustin Johnson
Claiming the sixth position is golfing maestro Dustin Johnson, whose financial prowess reaches an impressive $107 million in 2023. A significant portion of this sum, $82 million, stems from Johnson’s remarkable on-field winnings, underscoring his supremacy on the golf course. Complementing his success in the golfing arena, endorsements contribute an additional $25 million to Johnson’s total earnings, revealing a robust off-course brand presence.
Dustin Johnson
- Net Worth: $100 Million
- Age: 39 years
- Sport: Golf
The connection between his success in sports and his deals outside the game shows how today’s sports stars are more than just athletes. Johnson being ranked sixth in the list of the world’s highest-paid athletes shows he’s great at golf and smart about making money through ads and sponsorships. This makes him a well-known and financially savvy golf star.
Titles Won
- Masters Tournament (Green Jacket)
- U.S. Open
- The Open Championship.
7. Phil Mickelson
Golf great Phil Mickelson bags the seventh spot with a total 2023 earnings of a cool $106 million. He snagged a big slice, $57 million, from his golf wins, proving his skill in the game. What really stands out is the $49 million made from sponsor deals. This highlights Mickelson’s long-lasting charm and brand power.
Phil Mickelson
- Net Worth: $875 Million
- Age: 53 years
- Sport: Golf
Mickelson’s strong financial health, thanks to golf winnings and sponsors, shows his lasting popularity in and out of the sport. His seventh-place rank among the world’s highest-paid athletes signals his impressive sports feats and his personal brand’s ongoing appeal. This mix keeps him a player in the challenging world of professional sports.
Titles Won
- The Masters Tournament
- PGA Championship
- The Open Championship
- World Golf Championships
8. Stephen Curry
Basketball star Stephen Curry sits in spot eight. He pulled in a whopping $100.4 million in 2023. Curry’s on-court talent brought in $45.4 million. Yet, Curry’s reach goes beyond basketball. He raked in an amazing $55 million from endorsements alone.
Stephen Curry
- Net Worth: $160 Million
- Age: 35 years
- Sport: Basketball.
Curry’s earnings show how basketball players can influence beyond sports. They can impact entertainment and business. His eighth rank among the top-earning athletes highlights his skills in basketball and savvy partnerships off the court.
Titles Won:
- NBA Championships (multiple times with the Golden State Warriors).
- NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards (multiple times).
- NBA Three-Point Contest champion.
- NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament (with Davidson Wildcats).
9. Roger Federer
Securing the ninth spot is tennis icon Roger Federer, whose total income for 2023 stands at a formidable $95.1 million. Renowned as a tennis legend, Federer’s financial success stems from a harmonious combination of on-court finesse and off-court endorsements.
Roger Federer
- Net Worth: $130 Million
- Age: 42 years
- Sport: Tennis
His on-court contributions amount to $31.1 million, showcasing his enduring excellence on the tennis court. However, it’s the remarkable $64 million garnered through endorsements that truly underscores Federer’s transcendent influence and marketability beyond the confines of the tennis arena.
Titles Won
- Wimbledon Championships (multiple times).
- Australian Open titles.
- US Open titles.
Federer’s ability to seamlessly blend his sporting prowess with lucrative off-court partnerships speaks to his enduring global appeal. Ranked as the ninth top-earning athlete, Federer is not just a tennis master but also savvy in the world of commercials. The triumph of Federer in different areas reinforces the long-lasting influence of tennis stars in sports and showbiz.
10. Kevin Durant
Finishing the top 10 list is basketball wizard Kevin Durant, who earned wealth in 2023, reaching an impressive $89.1 million. A significant share of $44.1 million is due to Durant’s basketball skills, displaying his brilliance and importance in the world of basketball.
Kevin Durant
- Net Worth: $300 Million
- Age: 35 years
- Sport: Basketball
Kevin Durant shows how incredible sports performance can lead to considerable wealth. Being the tenth highest-earning athlete in the world, Durant proves how on-field success translates into off-field profit. Displaying simultaneous excellence in athletics and business proves the shaping role of basketball stars, both in sports and entertainment. Durant’s place among the top athletes illustrates his basketball skill and his knack for sports business overlap.
Titles Won
- NBA Championships (with the Golden State Warriors and Brooklyn Nets).
- NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.
- NBA All-Star Game MVP.
- Olympic gold medals (with the United States national basketball team)
Conclusion
In conclusion, the 2024 list of the Top 10 Highest-Paid Athletes in the World showcases an impressive array of talent across various sports, highlighting not just their athletic prowess but also their marketability and financial acumen. From football legends to basketball superstars, and tennis icons, these athletes have transcended their respective fields to become global brands. Their earnings, comprising salaries, endorsements, and other ventures, reflect the ever-growing financial landscape of professional sports. As we look towards the future, it’s clear that the endorsement deals, social media influence, and personal branding will continue to play pivotal roles in shaping the earnings of top athletes. This list not only celebrates their success but also serves as an inspiration for aspiring athletes around the world.
Top 10 Highest-Paid Athletes in the World (Updated 2024) – FAQs
Which sport is highest paid in the world?
Basketball is the highest-paid sport in the world, with an average annual NBA salary in 2023 of nearly $10.5 million. The league has over 30 teams and pays the highest player salary of $48 million.
Who are the billionaire sports player?
Michael Jordan, LeBron James and Tiger Woods are the only other athletes Forbes has identified as billionaires. Johnson has an estimated net worth of $1.2 billion, according to the publication.
Who is highest paid player in the world?
Cristiano Ronaldo is the highest-paid soccer player in the world with an estimated $260 million income in 2023.
What is the least paid sport?
Frisbee, specifically in the American Ultimate Disc League (AUDL), offers the lowest salaries compared to other professional sports.
Who is the No 1 richest footballer?
Faiq Bolkiah, is the richest footballer in the world.