Cristiano Ronaldo has topped Forbes' 2025 list of the Top 10 Highest-Paid Athletes in the world while Lionel Messi has dropped down two spots.
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Article continues below
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- Ronaldo remains the highest-paid athlete in 2025
- Lionel Messi drops down two spots in Forbes' list
- Mbappe out of Top 10 – Benzema remains eighth
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Forbes have announced their 2025 list of the World's Highest-Paid Athletes, and Al-Nassr star Ronaldo has taken top spot for the fifth-time. As per the report, the Real Madrid legend has earned $225 million (£169.1m) from his on-field footballing activities, while accruing $50 million (£37.5m).
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TELL ME MORE…
Barcelona legend and the 2022 World Cup winner, Messi, has also kept his place on the 2025 list of Highest-Paid Athletes, however, the Inter Miami star has dropped from third to fifth this year. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner has accrued $60 million (£45.1m) from his on-field dealings with the Herons while earning $75 million (£56.3m) from other avenues like brand endorsement and marketing campaigns.
- AFP
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe was placed sixth in Forbes' 2024 list, however, he has completely missed out on the Top 10 this year, mainly due to the massive pay cut he took to join Los Blancos from Paris Saint-Germain. Meanwhile, his compatriot Karim Benzema has retained his eighth place on the ladder, earning a total of $104 million (£78.1m).
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WHAT DOES THE FORBES LIST LOOK LIKE
|
|
Name
|
Sport
|
Total Earnings
|
|
1
|
Cristiano Ronaldo
|
Football (Soccer)
|
$275 million
|
|
2
|
Stephen Curry
|
Basketball
|
$156 million
|
|
3
|
Tyson Fury
|
Boxing
|
$146 million
|
|
4
|
Dak Prescott
|
American Football
|
$137 million
|
|
5
|
Lionel Messi
|
Football (Soccer)
|
$135 million
|
|
6
|
LeBron James
|
Basketball
|
$133.8 million
|
|
7
|
Juan Soto
|
Baseball
|
$114 million
|
|
8
|
Karim Benzema
|
Football (Soccer)
|
$104 million
|
|
9
|
Shohei Ohtani
|
Baseball
|
$102.5 million
|
|
10
|
Kevin Durant
|
Basketball
|
$101.4 million
|
