Every year, Forbes, the famous American magazine, tries to answer the question: who is the richest athlete in the world? They meticulously examine the salaries and extra-sport earnings of athletes worldwide.
The top 50 wealthiest athletes earned a staggering $3.88 billion in 2023, with incomes from sponsorships and investments often surpassing their salaries and winnings.
Despite taxes and agent fees, sports tycoons’ overall earnings increased by 13% compared to the previous year, setting a new record.
According to Forbes, in 2023, Cristiano Ronaldo topped the list as the highest-earning athlete, surpassing golfer John Rahm and soccer star Lionel Messi.
Surprisingly, there were no Italian athletes in the top 50, with Jannik Sinner potentially becoming a global star soon.
| Athlete | Sport | Salary (million $) | Other Earnings (million $) | Total Earnings (million $) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cristiano Ronaldo | Soccer | 200 | 60 | 260 |
| John Rahm | Golf | 198 | 20 | 218 |
| Lionel Messi | Soccer | 65 | 70 | 135 |
| LeBron James | Basketball | 48.2 | 80 | 128.2 |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | Basketball | 46 | 65 | 111 |
| Kylian Mbappé | Soccer | 90 | 20 | 110 |
| Neymar | Soccer | 80 | 28 | 108 |
| Karim Benzema | Soccer | 100 | 6 | 106 |
| Stephen Curry | Basketball | 52 | 50 | 102 |
| Lamar Jackson | Football | 98.5 | 2 | 100.5 |
Cristiano Ronaldo stands out as the highest-paid athlete globally, thanks to his colossal salary from Al Nassr.
LeBron James leads in non-salary or tournament winnings earnings, followed by Lionel Messi and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Notably, soccer and basketball dominate the list of top earners, alongside golf and football.
Among the top 50 athletes, Formula One drivers and boxers are also represented.
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