Lionel Messi leads the pack in Forbes’ ranking of the highest-earning athletes worldwide
Despite nearing the end of his playing days, Lionel Messi secures the top spot on Forbes’ list of the highest-paid athletes globally, courtesy of his lucrative contract in Qatar.
Cristiano Ronaldo is still the top earner among athletes worldwide, as per the latest Forbes list. Despite being towards the end of his career, he continues to rake in massive earnings primarily from his lucrative contract with Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia.
Forbes' list, unveiled on Thursday, reveals that Ronaldo pocketed a staggering $260 million in the past year. Out of this, $200 million came from his club contract with Al-Nassr, while the remaining $60 million was earned through various off-field ventures.
The 39-year-old topped the rankings for the fourth time, beating golfer Jon Rahm and Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi.
Forbes estimated Rahm's total earnings at $218 million, with $198 million coming from playing wages. Messi, on the other hand, earned $135 million, with $70 million coming from off-the-field payments.
Ronaldo, a soccer player based in Saudi Arabia, is among the 50 highest-paid athletes. He joined Al-Nassr in January 2023 and has been performing well. The club is expected to secure the second position in the Saudi Pro League, just behind Al-Hilal.
Ronaldo takes a free-kick against Al-Hilal last month.
Ronaldo takes a free-kick against Al-Hilal last month.
Neville Hopwood/Getty Images
For the first time ever, the top-10 highest paid athletes have each made over $100 million, totaling a record $1.38 billion, as reported by Forbes.
Among the top 10 are NBA stars LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Steph Curry, along with soccer players Neymar, Karim Benzema (who both play for Saudi clubs), and Kylian Mbappé.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is currently the NFL player with the highest earnings, ranking at number 10.
For the first time since 2019, no women have made it into the top 50 of Forbes' list. The only female athletes to achieve this feat since 2012 are Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, Li Na, and Naomi Osaka.
Forbes determines the 10 highest-paid athletes in 2024 through discussions with experts, analysis of news articles, and referencing salary databases such as Spotrac. All earnings are then converted to US dollars based on the current exchange rate.
Cristiano Ronaldo (soccer) - $260 million
Jon Rahm (golf) - $218 million
Lionel Messi (soccer) - $135 million
LeBron James (basketball) - $128.2 million
Giannis Antetokounmpo (basketball) - $111 million
Kylian Mbappé (soccer) - $110 million
Neymar (soccer) - $108 million
Karim Benzema (soccer) - $106 million
Steph Curry (basketball) - $102 million
Lamar Jackson (football) - $100.5 million
Editor's P/S:
Cristiano Ronaldo's remarkable earnings, despite being in the twilight of his career, are a testament to his enduring star power and the lucrative opportunities available in modern sports. His $260 million haul, primarily driven by his contract with Al-Nassr, cements his status as a global icon. However, the absence of women from the top 50 this year raises concerns about gender disparities in sports earnings and the need for continued efforts to promote equality.
The article highlights the dominance of soccer players in the top 10, with six out of ten athletes representing the sport. This reflects the global popularity of soccer and the massive financial investments made by clubs and sponsors. The record-breaking earnings of the top 10 athletes, totaling $1.38 billion, showcase the immense revenue generated by the sports industry.
