Cristiano Ronaldo tops global earnings again as world's highest-paid athlete in 2025
Other big names also feature prominently on this year’s list of top-earning athletes, representing a range of sports from basketball and baseball to boxing and American football.
CRISTIANO Ronaldo has once again shown that his influence goes far beyond the football field, dominating the global commercial sports arena as well.
The legendary Portuguese footballer has been named the highest-paid athlete in the world by Forbes for 2025 — marking the third consecutive year and the fifth time overall in his remarkable career.
With total earnings of US$275 million, combining his salary at Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr and numerous lucrative sponsorship deals, Ronaldo continues to solidify his position as a towering global icon in both sports and commercial ventures.
He remains a household name among fans and casual followers alike, with an unmatched social media presence of over 939 million followers, reinforcing his role as an unstoppable commercial force.
Other big names also feature prominently on this year’s list of top-earning athletes, representing a range of sports from basketball and baseball to boxing and American football.
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors’ point guard and widely regarded as the greatest 3-point shooter in basketball, ranks second with earnings of US$156 million.
British boxing star Tyson Fury takes third place with US$146 million, despite having lost his world title.
The list showcases the dominance of US athletes alongside international stars such as Lionel Messi, LeBron James, Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto — all earning nine-figure incomes through a mix of sporting success, global popularity, and strong personal brands.
Top-Earning Athletes of 2025
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Football, Al-Nassr) – US$275 million
- Stephen Curry (Basketball, Golden State Warriors) – US$156 million
- Tyson Fury (Boxing) – US$146 million
- Dak Prescott (American Football, Dallas Cowboys) – US$137 million
- Lionel Messi (Football, Inter Miami) – US$135 million
- LeBron James (Basketball, Los Angeles Lakers) – US$133.8 million
- Juan Soto (Baseball, New York Mets) – US$114 million
- Karim Benzema (Football, Al Ittihad) – US$104 million
- Shohei Ohtani (Baseball, Los Angeles Dodgers) – US$102.5 million
- Kevin Durant (Basketball, Phoenix Suns) – US$101.4 million
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