- Forbes has released a list of the highest-paid athletes in 2024
- The top 10 biggest earners in the sporting world collectively earned a whopping $1.38 billion before taxes and agents’ fees over the last twelve months
- Cristiano Ronaldo is the highest-paid athlete in the world
Business magazine Forbes has released a list of the highest-paid athletes in 2024, which is topped by football star Cristiano Ronaldo. This is the fourth time that Ronaldo has headed the list which is dominated by stars from football and basketball.
According to Forbes, the top 10 highest-paid athletes collectively earned a whopping $1.38 billion before taxes and agents’ fees over the last twelve months. This is the highest total ever recorded, as per the magazine. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the full list of the biggest earners in the sporting world.
10. Lamar Jackson – $100.5 Million
Lamar Jackson. Photo/ WMAR.
NFL player Lamar Jackson joined Forbes’ list of the highest-paid athletes thanks to the $72.5 million signing bonus he received after signing a new contract with Baltimore Ravens last year. The quarterback made $100.5 million between 1 May 2023 and 1 May 2024.
9. Stephen Curry – $102 Million
Stephen Curry is one of the most popular names in the NBA and continues to impress on the court in the later phases of his career. Curry has made $102 million in the past one year, with half of his earnings coming from off-field activities. In 2023, the American signed a massive deal with Under Armour that will run into his retirement.
8. Karim Benzema – $106 Million
Karim Benzema is among footballers who joined the list of highest-paid athletes after moving to Saudi Arabia. The former Real Madrid man currently plays for Saudi Pro League club Al Ittihad and is one of the top earners in the league. He earned a whopping $100 million on-field and $6 million from off-field activities.
7. Neymar – $108 Million
Neymar played just five matches during the 2023-24 season for champions Al Hilal. He was forced to forfeit the rest of the season in October after tearing his ACL while playing in a World Cup qualifying match for his country Brazil. However, that hasn’t affected his earning at all as he continued to receive his massive salary and also made money off-field signing various endorsement deals.
While away from the pitch, the Brazilian has partnered with Fun Brands and developed his line of cocktails and also launched a new boot with Puma. His earnings for the past 12 months have been $80 million on-field and $28 million off-field.
Neymar. Photo/ Football365.
6. Kylian Mbappe – $110 Million
Kylian Mbappe will be the most discussed footballer during this coming summer transfer window after biding farewell to PSG. The 25-year-old leaves PSG not only as a legend but the biggest earners in the club’s history. He made $90 million on-field and $250 million off-field in the last 12 months.
5. Giannis Antetokounmpo – $111 Million
Giannis Antetokounmpo is another star on this list of highest-paid athletes whose season was brought to an end early due to injury. The 29-year-old helplessly watched his team, Milwaukee Bucks, exit the playoff early in the first round.
Putting that disappointment aside, he continues to earn big and is making significant progress off-field. He has earned $111 million in the past one year, with $65 million coming from his off-field activities.
4. LeBron James – $128.2 Million
LeBron James continues to make waves in the NBA despite being 39. Due to his success and status as one of the finest players to ever step step on a basketball court, LeBron is the biggest earner in the NBA, with his on-field income in the last twelve months being $48.2 million. The Los Angeles Lakers star, who has a few more years left to play, made $80 million off-field within the same amount of time.
LeBron James. Photo/ Los Angeles Times.
3. Lionel Messi – $135 Million
The impact of Lionel Messi signing with Major League Soccer club Inter Miami is very evident. Inter Miami has seen rise in ticket sales and attracted several attractive sponsorship deals. In fact, sources reveal that Inter Miami is currently the second-most valuable club in the MLS.
Messi is well compensated with the club as shown by his massive $65 million on-field earnings in the past one year. The Argentine has garnered $70 million off-field since moving to the Miami.
2. Jon Rahm – $218 Million
Jon Rahm’s decision to join LIV Golf has seen him become the second highest-paid athlete in the world, with his on-field earnings in the last twelve months being $198 million. The 29-year-old is yet to win a LIV event but has already made $6.6 million after participating in seven tournaments this year. He is also making huge strides off-field having earned $20 million in the past one year.
Jon Rahm. Photo/ ESPN.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo – $260 Million
At the very top of Forbes list pf highest-paid athletes is Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portugal international’s estimated earnings is $260 million, which is an all-time high for a footballer. His annual salary at Al Nassr is a whopping $200 million and he has had a massive impact since moving to the Saudi Pro League. Apart from attracting several other top players to the league, Ronaldo’s presence has also attracted more sponsors and brought the league into the limelight.
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