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The top 10 highest paid athletes in world 2025 collectively earned over $1.4 billion through record-breaking salaries, mega endorsements, and blockbuster contracts.
From Cristiano Ronaldo’s staggering $275M haul to Stephen Curry’s $156M empire, these athletes are not just dominating on the field they’re building global business empires.
The visual below breaks down their earnings into salary and endorsements, paired with their faces, sport icons, and brand affiliations, giving you a clear look at who’s winning both on and off the field.
Top 10 Highest Paid Athletes in World 2025
| Rank | Athlete | Sport | Total Earnings | Salary/Winnings | Endorsements & Deals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Football | $275M | $225M | Nike, Binance, Al Nassr, CR7 Brand |
| 2 | Stephen Curry | Basketball | $156M | $56M | Under Armour, Curry Brand, Investments |
| 3 | Tyson Fury | Boxing | $146M | $140M | Fight purses, sponsorships |
| 4 | Dak Prescott | American Football | $137M | $127M | Dallas Cowboys, endorsements |
| 5 | Lionel Messi | Football | $135M | $60M | Adidas, Inter Miami, revenue shares |
| 6 | LeBron James | Basketball | $133.8M | $48.8M | Nike lifetime deal, media ventures |
| 7 | Juan Soto | Baseball | $114M | $109M | Historic NY Mets contract |
| 8 | Karim Benzema | Football | $104M | $100M | Al-Ittihad mega deal |
| 9 | Shohei Ohtani | Baseball | $102.5M | $2.5M | Massive brand deals, deferred salary |
| 10 | Kevin Durant | Basketball | $101.4M | $51.4M | Nike, Thirty Five Ventures |
1. Cristiano Ronaldo — $275M
- Why #1: Ronaldo’s Al Nassr contract, global endorsement empire, and CR7 fashion brand make him the highest-paid athlete in the world.
- Did you know? He’s now targeting 1,000 career goals and extended his contract until 2027.
ALSO READ: Top 10 Most Popular Football Teams in the World in 2025
2. Stephen Curry — $156M
- Breaking records both on the court and in entrepreneurship.
- The Curry Brand and Under Armour deal have made him a business powerhouse.
3. Tyson Fury — $146M
- Massive fight purses and unmatched marketability make Fury one of boxing’s biggest earners.
- His personality-driven branding continues to attract global sponsorships.
4. Dak Prescott — $137M
- The Dallas Cowboys quarterback secured a record-breaking NFL contract.
- Endorsements from major brands keep boosting his total income.
ALSO READ: Top 15 Richest UFC Fighters 2025 Updated: Net Worth Revealed
5. Lionel Messi — $135M
- His move to Inter Miami transformed MLS revenues, with Adidas and Apple revenue sharing deals.
- Messi’s global appeal ensures consistent endorsement dominance.
6. LeBron James — $133.8M
- Beyond basketball, LeBron’s media empire and Nike lifetime deal keep his income soaring.
- His investments through SpringHill Company are game-changers.
7. Juan Soto — $114M
- Soto’s historic $460M NY Mets contract drives his spot in the top 10.
- At just 26, he’s MLB’s youngest mega-earner.
ALSO READ: Top 10 Richest and Most Valuable Sports Leagues in the World (Updated)
8. Karim Benzema — $104M
- Signed a $400M+ deal with Al-Ittihad, joining Saudi Arabia’s football revolution.
- Endorsements in Europe and the Middle East continue growing.
9. Shohei Ohtani — $102.5M
- Ohtani’s record-setting $700M LA Dodgers contract defers most of his salary,
but his endorsement portfolio makes him one of the world’s highest earners.
10. Kevin Durant — $101.4M
- Durant’s NBA salary, combined with Nike and Thirty Five Ventures, keeps him in the global earnings elite.
ALSO READ: Top 10 Richest NBA Players 2025 Updated: Net Worth Revealed
Who Earned the Most from Endorsements?
- LeBron James → $85M+ from Nike & media ventures
- Stephen Curry → $100M+ via Curry Brand & Under Armour
- Cristiano Ronaldo → $50M+ from CR7 brand, Nike, Binance
FAQs Highest-Paid Athletes 2025
1. Who is the highest paid athlete in world 2025?
Cristiano Ronaldo tops the list with $275 million in total earnings, driven by his $200M+ salary from Al-Nassr and $75M in endorsements, including Nike, Binance, and his CR7 brand
2. How much do the top 10 highest-paid athletes make combined?
In 2025, the top 10 athletes earned over $1.4 billion combined, a record-breaking figure.
3. Which sport has the highest earners in 2025?
Football dominates, with Ronaldo, Messi, and Benzema featuring in the top 10.
4. Which athlete earned the most from endorsements in 2025?
Stephen Curry and Shohei Ohtani each earned $100 million from endorsements. Curry’s deals include Under Armour, Curry Brand, and Fanatics, while Ohtani’s include New Balance, Seiko, and Japan-based mega sponsors
5. Who are the Highest Paid Athletes in World 2025
Top 10 Highest-Paid Athletes in 2025
- Cristiano Ronaldo – $275M (Football, Al Nassr, CR7 brand)
- Stephen Curry – $156M (Basketball, Under Armour)
- Tyson Fury – $146M (Boxing, fight purses)
- Dak Prescott – $137M (NFL, Dallas Cowboys)
- Lionel Messi – $135M (Football, Inter Miami, Apple TV)
- LeBron James – $133.8M (Basketball, Nike, SpringHill)
- Juan Soto – $114M (Baseball, NY Mets)
- Karim Benzema – $104M (Football, Al-Ittihad)
- Shohei Ohtani – $102.5M (Baseball, endorsements)
- Kevin Durant – $101.4M (Basketball, Nike, ventures)
Ronaldo tops the list with massive club earnings and global endorsements. Ohtani leads in off-field income with $100M from brand deals.
