Cristiano Ronaldo has once again been named the world’s highest-paid athlete by Forbes, marking his third consecutive year at the top. The 40-year-old Portuguese footballer has now claimed the top spot five times overall in his career.
According to the magazine, Ronaldo earned an estimated $275 million (around £206.6 million) over the past year, driven by his contract with Saudi club Al Nassr and his vast portfolio of endorsements. His commercial appeal has surged, largely due to his record-breaking 939 million social media followers, making him one of the most influential athletes globally.
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NBA star Stephen Curry climbed to second on the list after earning $156 million (approx. £117.2 million). The Golden State Warriors guard made history earlier this year as the first NBA player to reach 4,000 career three-pointers.
British boxer Tyson Fury jumped to third with $146 million (£109.7 million), thanks to a Netflix reality series and a sponsorship deal with Malta’s tourism board—despite his recent defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.
Meanwhile, Lionel Messi slipped to fifth place, falling behind Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.
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Ronaldo’s closest competitor in historical earnings remains Floyd Mayweather, who earned $300 million in 2015 and $275 million in 2018.
Top 10 Highest-Paid Athletes in 2025
(All figures in USD and approximate GBP)
| Rank | Athlete | Sport | Earnings (USD) | Earnings (GBP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Football | $275m | £206.6m |
| 2 | Stephen Curry | Basketball | $156m | £117.2m |
| 3 | Tyson Fury | Boxing | $146m | £109.7m |
| 4 | Dak Prescott | American Football | $137m | £103m |
| 5 | Lionel Messi | Football | $135m | £101.4m |
| 6 | LeBron James | Basketball | $133.8m | £105.5m |
| 7 | Juan Soto | Baseball | $114m | £85.7m |
| 8 | Karim Benzema | Football | $104m | £78.2m |
| 9 | Shohei Ohtani | Baseball | $102.5m | £77m |
| 10 | Kevin Durant | Basketball | $101.4m | £76.2m |