The ten highest-earning athletes in the world for the 2025–26 season, ranked by total pre-tax earnings from salary, endorsements, and business ventures.
Quick answer: 1. Cristiano Ronaldo, 2. Lionel Messi, 3. LeBron James, 4. Jon Rahm, 5. Canelo Álvarez, 6. Stephen Curry, 7. Neymar Jr., 8. Max Verstappen, 9. Giannis Antetokounmpo, 10. Roger Federer.
These are the world's highest-paid athletes for the 2025–26 season, ranked by total annual earnings before taxes and agent fees. The figures combine on-field salary and prize money (from contracts, purses, and bonuses) with off-field income (endorsements, appearance fees, and equity stakes in brands and teams). Cristiano Ronaldo leads the pack for the third consecutive year, driven by his Al Nassr contract and extensive personal brand portfolio. The list spans football, basketball, golf, boxing, tennis, and Formula 1, reflecting how the biggest sports stars now earn more from endorsements and business ventures than from their actual sport. Behind the huge figures is a clear trend: the top tier increasingly consists of athletes who have built media empires and brand ecosystems that outlast any single season.
The Portuguese football icon earned an estimated $285 million in 2025–26, anchored by his Al Nassr contract and a sprawling personal brand that includes CR7 products, a YouTube channel, and hotel investments.
Inter Miami's star and the 2022 World Cup champion earned an estimated $155 million from his MLS contract, Apple TV revenue share, and long-term deals with Adidas and Socios.com.
The NBA's all-time scoring leader and Lakers forward earned roughly $135 million through his player salary, plus a growing portfolio of media and beverage ventures including SpringHill Company and a stake in Fenway Sports Group.
The Spanish golfer's move to LIV Golf in 2024 reportedly came with a guaranteed $300 million+ contract; his 2025–26 earnings of roughly $125 million reflect the massive LIV upfront and signing bonus pro-ration.
The Mexican boxing superstar and unified super-middleweight champion earned approximately $120 million from his PPV fight schedule and endorsement deals, consistently generating the sport's biggest live gates.
The Golden State Warriors guard and three-point king earned an estimated $110 million, boosted by a lucrative Under Armour partnership (his Curry Brand), plus media projects and real estate investments.
The Brazilian football star and Al Hilal forward earned about $105 million from his Saudi Pro League contract, endorsements, and his expanding portfolio of music and entertainment ventures.
The four-time Formula 1 World Champion earned approximately $95 million through his Red Bull Racing salary, performance bonuses, and personal endorsements, making him the highest-earning non-team-owner racing driver.
The Milwaukee Bucks superstar and two-time NBA MVP earned roughly $90 million, with his salary near the NBA's supermax limit and growing endorsement income from his 'Greek Freak' Nike signature line.
Though retired from professional tennis, Federer's brand partnerships with Uniqlo, Rolex, and On Running, plus his equity in the On shoe company, generated an estimated $85 million in 2025–26.
| # | Name | sport | on_field | off_field | nationality | key_endorsements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Football | $200M | $85M | Portugal | Nike, Binance, Herbalife, Clear |
| 2 | Lionel Messi | Football | $80M | $75M | Argentina | Adidas, Apple, Budweiser, Socios.com |
| 3 | LeBron James | Basketball | $48M | $87M | United States | Nike, AT&T, PepsiCo, Beats by Dre |
| 4 | Jon Rahm | Golf | $105M | $20M | Spain | TaylorMade, Mercedes-Benz, Blue Yonder |
| 5 | Canelo Álvarez | Boxing | $110M | $10M | Mexico | Hennessy, Tecate, Under Armour |
| 6 | Stephen Curry | Basketball | $52M | $58M | United States | Under Armour (Curry Brand), Chase, Rakuten |
| 7 | Neymar Jr. | Football | $80M | $25M | Brazil | Puma, Qatar Airways, Red Bull |
| 8 | Max Verstappen | Formula 1 | $65M | $30M | Netherlands | Red Bull, Viaplay, Exact, Heineken |
| 9 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | Basketball | $48M | $42M | Greece | Nike, Google, Meta, JBL |
| 10 | Roger Federer | Tennis | $0 | $85M | Switzerland | Uniqlo, Rolex, On Running, Mercedez-Benz |
Athletes are ranked by estimated total pre-tax earnings for the 2025–26 calendar/seasonal year, as compiled from Forbes' annual 'World's Highest-Paid Athletes' rankings, Sportico's athlete compensation data, and verified contract filings. On-field earnings include salary, prize money, bonuses, and signing-bonus prorations; off-field earnings include endorsements, licensing, appearance fees, and equity in business ventures. Earnings are in current US dollars. Only currently active athletes are included; retired athletes are excluded unless they earned substantial income from sport-related activities in the current measurement period. Rank 1 is the highest earner.
Cristiano Ronaldo is the world's highest-paid athlete for the 2025–26 season, earning an estimated $285 million. His Al Nassr contract makes up the largest share, but his CR7 brand empire — including fragrances, hotels, clothing, and a YouTube channel — adds substantial off-field income.
Total earnings include salary, prize money, and bonuses from the athlete's sport (on-field) plus endorsements, licensing, appearance fees, and equity in business ventures (off-field). All figures are pre-tax and pre-agent-fee, in current US dollars, for the 2025–26 season.
Federer retired from professional tennis in 2022, but his endorsement deals — particularly his equity stake in the running-shoe company On — continue to generate significant annual income. Unlike many retired athletes who rely on former-competition appearance fees, Federer's brand deals remain active and highly lucrative.
Seven athletes on this list earn over $100 million per year: Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, LeBron James, Jon Rahm, Canelo Álvarez, Stephen Curry, and Neymar Jr. The $100-million threshold, once a rarity, is now the baseline for the top tier of global sports superstars.