Top 10 Athlete Salaries: Cristiano Ronaldo named ahead of Lionel Messi as highest-earning athlete
- Cristiano Ronaldo has been named the world’s highest-paid athlete of 2024, earning nearly twice as much as long-time rival Lionel Messi
- The rankings reveal the top ten sporting superstars by combined salaries and endorsements
- While Ronaldo’s presence at the summit is no shock, the scale of his lead over the rest of the field is nothing short of remarkable
Cristiano Ronaldo has been crowned the world’s highest-earning athlete over the past year, edging out long-time rival Lionel Messi, who finished in third place.
Together, the two superstars claimed two of the top three spots on the global rich list.
Source: Getty Images
Football and basketball dominated the top 10, with only two athletes from other sports breaking into the rankings.
The figures, compiled by bestbettingsitesoffers.co.uk, combine both salaries and off-field income to reveal the true financial heavyweights of world sport.
10) Lamar Jackson – £74.37m
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson leads all NFL players in earnings, securing 10th place on the list thanks to his record-breaking contract. The 28-year-old signed a five-year deal in the summer of 2023, with his salary set to rise each season. A two-time MVP, Jackson has redefined the quarterback role with his rare blend of passing precision and explosive rushing ability.
9) Stephen Curry – £75.38m
Just ahead of him is NBA icon Stephen Curry, earning slightly more than Jackson. The Golden State Warriors star revolutionized basketball with his unmatched three-point shooting, reshaping how the game is played.
At 37, Curry may be in the later stages of his career, but his performances continue to justify his wages and earned him a contract extension through 2026/27.
His total is further boosted by a highly lucrative Under Armour partnership, which includes company shares on top of his salary.
8) Karim Benzema – £78.44m
French striker Karim Benzema is the first footballer to appear on the list, his legendary career at Real Madrid already securing his place among the greatest attackers of his generation.
His top-10 earnings are largely fueled by the Saudi Pro League’s vast spending power, following his headline-making 2023 move to Al-Ittihad.
The deal, worth hundreds of millions over three years, came when Benzema was 35 — a remarkable payday at the twilight of his career.
7) Neymar – £79.92m
Often regarded as the third member of football’s modern “big three” behind Messi and Ronaldo, Neymar’s financial success has matched his reputation, even if his recent years have been turbulent.
In 2023, he swapped PSG for Saudi side Al-Hilal on a record-breaking contract, but persistent injuries restricted him to just seven appearances over two seasons.
He has since returned to Brazil with boyhood club Santos, enjoying regular football again, though on a far smaller wage.
6) Kylian Mbappé – £81.40m
At just 26, Kylian Mbappé is the youngest name in the top 10 and widely considered the best player in world football today.
His earnings are boosted by a massive signing bonus and sponsorship deals, softening the impact of the initial pay cut he accepted to join Real Madrid.
With his prime years still ahead of him, his financial and sporting legacy is only expected to grow at one of the game’s most historic clubs.
5) Giannis Antetokounmpo – £82.14m
The “Greek Freak” ranks fifth with earnings over £80m, more than half of which come from endorsements, including his signature Nike shoe line.
At 30, the 6ft 11in forward remains one of the NBA’s most dominant forces, recently securing his ninth consecutive All-Star appearance.
Drafted 15th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in 2013, Antetokounmpo has since become the face of the franchise — and one of basketball’s greatest success stories.
4) LeBron James – £94.87m
Basketball legend LeBron James continues to redefine longevity at the highest level. Drafted first overall in 2003, “King James” has dazzled for more than two decades, now entering his 23rd season — the longest in NBA history.
The 40-year-old exercised a near-£40m extension last season, while his business ventures and equity stakes in companies have pushed his net worth well past the billion-dollar mark.
3) Lionel Messi – £99.90m
Widely regarded as the greatest footballer of all time, Lionel Messi built his legacy at Barcelona, where he led one of the most iconic dynasties in modern football.
Following a brief stint at PSG, the 38-year-old crossed the Atlantic to join David Beckham’s Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.
Alongside Antetokounmpo, Messi is one of only two athletes on this list earning more off the pitch than on it, thanks to his unmatched global brand appeal.
2) Jon Rahm – £161.32m
Jon Rahm is the sole golfer in the top 10 — and his second-place finish comes with a huge gap over Messi. The Spanish star’s earnings are driven by Saudi Arabia’s investment in LIV Golf, where he serves as captain of Legion XIII. With most of his £161m haul coming directly from competition prize money, Rahm has cemented himself as one of the sport’s marquee names.
1) Cristiano Ronaldo – £192.40m
Cristiano Ronaldo sits atop the list with staggering wages from Saudi club Al-Nassr, bolstered further by a renewal deal in June that pushes his earnings to nearly £488,000 per day.
At 40, the Portuguese icon remains one of football’s most marketable and prolific players, holding records for both Champions League and international goals.
With spells at Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus shaping his legendary career, Ronaldo is closing in on the remarkable milestone of 1,000 career goals — underlining why he continues to dominate on and off the pitch.
Source: YEN.com.gh
