Latest answer: highest-paid athletes
The latest complete international table is Forbes’ May 2025 list, which measures twelve-month earnings before taxes and agent fees. For a page read in 2026, it is the strongest verifiable baseline: Cristiano Ronaldo leads with about $275 million, followed by Stephen Curry, Tyson Fury, Dak Prescott, Lionel Messi, LeBron James, Juan Soto and Karim Benzema.
This is an annual income ranking, not a net-worth table. LeBron James and Lionel Messi may have larger accumulated fortunes than several athletes above them. The order below therefore follows Forbes earnings, while each profile separately states an estimated net worth.
Ronaldo remains No. 1 in annual income thanks to Al-Nassr and his sponsor ecosystem.
Method: annual income, not total fortune
We follow Forbes’ method: salaries, bonuses, prize money and commercial income over twelve months, before taxes. Sportico’s 2024 calendar-year ranking confirms the same trends: Saudi contracts, Riyadh boxing purses, NBA growth and the rising role of off-field revenue.
2026 ranking of the world’s highest-paid athletes
For readability, the list is displayed as a countdown from No. 8 to No. 1: it starts with Karim Benzema, the last athlete in this top eight, and ends with Cristiano Ronaldo, the highest-paid athlete in the world.
8. Karim Benzema — annual earnings: $104M
Estimated net worth: $200M. Sport: football. Country: France. Forbes: $100M on-field and $4M off-field. Main driver: Al-Ittihad salary + long career earnings.
7. Juan Soto — annual earnings: $114M
Estimated net worth: $120M. Sport: baseball. Country: Dominican Republic. Forbes: $109M on-field and $5M off-field. Main driver: New York Mets contract and bonus structure.
6. LeBron James — annual earnings: $133.8M
LeBron James: income combines sport, image rights and commercial deals.
Estimated net worth: $1.2B. Sport: basketball. Country: United States. Forbes: $48.8M on-field and $85M off-field. Main driver: Lakers salary + Nike/SpringHill/business assets.
5. Lionel Messi — annual earnings: $135M
Lionel Messi: income combines sport, image rights and commercial deals.
Estimated net worth: $650M. Sport: football. Country: Argentina. Forbes: $60M on-field and $75M off-field. Main driver: Inter Miami + Adidas/Apple/Saudi tourism.
4. Dak Prescott — annual earnings: $137M
Estimated net worth: $110M. Sport: American football. Country: United States. Forbes: $127M on-field and $10M off-field. Main driver: NFL signing bonus + Dallas Cowboys salary.
3. Tyson Fury — annual earnings: $146M
Estimated net worth: $180M. Sport: boxing. Country: United Kingdom. Forbes: $140M on-field and $6M off-field. Main driver: Riyadh fight purses.
2. Stephen Curry — annual earnings: $156M
Estimated net worth: $280M. Sport: basketball. Country: United States. Forbes: $56M on-field and $100M off-field. Main driver: NBA salary + Under Armour/Curry Brand.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo — annual earnings: $275M
Cristiano Ronaldo: income combines sport, image rights and commercial deals.
Estimated net worth: $650M. Sport: football. Country: Portugal. Forbes: $225M on-field and $50M off-field. Main driver: Al-Nassr + sponsors.
Why Mbappé, Neymar and Jon Rahm are outside this top 8
The older version featured Kylian Mbappé, Neymar, Jon Rahm and Giannis Antetokounmpo in the top 8. They remain elite earners, but the latest Forbes table places Dak Prescott, Juan Soto and Karim Benzema ahead for the measured period. The article is therefore realigned so the displayed ranks do not contradict the income figures.
What today’s sports business shows
- Saudi contracts reshape soccer, boxing and golf.
- NBA stars combine huge salaries with global personal brands.
- Off-field earnings can be as important as salary.
- Annual rankings change quickly after a fight purse, signing bonus or new contract.
FAQ
Who is the highest-paid athlete in the world in 2026?
Using the latest Forbes ranking available, Cristiano Ronaldo leads with about $275 million over twelve months.
Does the ranking measure fortune or salary?
It measures annual earnings. Net worth is shown separately as estimated net worth.
Key takeaways
- Cristiano Ronaldo remains No. 1 with roughly $275 million in annual earnings according to Forbes 2025.
- The ranking measures twelve-month income, not total net worth.
- Stephen Curry, Tyson Fury, Dak Prescott, Lionel Messi and LeBron James each exceed $130 million.
- Every athlete has a separate estimated net worth label to avoid mixing salary, endorsements and accumulated wealth.
Editorial methodology
The estimates published by Lama Fortune rely on public sources, media references, and sector comparisons. They are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial advice.
Sources reviewed
Frequently asked questions
Who is the highest-paid athlete in the world?
Cristiano Ronaldo ranks first in the latest available Forbes list, with roughly $275 million in annual earnings.
Does this ranking measure net worth?
No. It ranks annual earnings. Estimated net worth is shown separately for context.
