The sporting world just received its latest power rankings — not on the pitch or the court, but in the bank. Forbes has released its annual list of the world’s 50 highest-paid athletes, offering a glimpse into the staggering sums earned across a range of disciplines from soccer to boxing to basketball. And at the very top of that financial summit stands a familiar name.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been crowned the world’s highest-paid athlete for the third consecutive year, as revealed in Forbes’ 2025 rankings. But lurking further down the list is another legend — one whose long-standing rivalry with Ronaldo often plays out both in silverware and salaries. So, where does Lionel Messi stand in this latest financial face-off?
For the period between May 1, 2024, and May 1, 2025, the top 50 athletes combined to earn a jaw-dropping $4.23 billion, smashing last year’s record of $3.88 billion. The spike is not only a reflection of ever-increasing contracts and sponsorships but also of new leagues reshaping the landscape of elite sports income.
At the pinnacle is Cristiano Ronaldo, whose move to Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr has turbocharged his earnings. According to Forbes, “Ronaldo earned $275 million in the past 12 months — $225 million from his playing contract and $50 million from endorsements and commercial ventures.”
That total makes him the second-highest single-year earner in history, behind only Floyd Mayweather’s $300 million haul in 2015. It also puts Ronaldo $119 million ahead of the second name on the list, NBA star Stephen Curry, who brought in $156 million.
And what about Messi?
Now at Inter Miami and one of Major League Soccer’s marquee names, Lionel Messi ranks fifth on the Forbes list with total earnings of $135 million. While his commercial appeal continues to thrive — especially in North America — his on-field earnings have been eclipsed by his long-time adversary.
“Messi’s annual earnings were reported to be $135 million, marginally ahead of the LA Lakers’ LeBron James,” wrote Forbes. Though the Argentine leads in certain sponsorship metrics, Ronaldo’s blockbuster Saudi deal remains unmatched in value.
Top 10 Highest Paid Athletes (May 2025)Cristiano Ronaldo (Soccer) – $275 millionStephen Curry (Basketball) – $156 millionTyson Fury (Boxing) – $146 millionDak Prescott (NFL) – $137 millionLionel Messi (Soccer) – $135 millionLeBron James (Basketball) – $133.8 millionJuan Soto (Baseball) – $114 millionKarim Benzema (Soccer) – $104 millionShohei Ohtani (Baseball) – $102.5 millionKevin Durant (Basketball) – $101.4 million
Shift in soccer’s power base
The top of the list reflects a seismic shift in Soccer’s earning power — and Saudi Arabia is at the heart of it. Alongside Ronaldo, Karim Benzema ($104m), Neymar ($76m), and Sadio Mane ($54m) all made the top 50, thanks to lucrative contracts in the Saudi Pro League.
“Half of the eight footballers named on Forbes’ list played in the Saudi Pro League,” the magazine noted, highlighting the country’s growing influence ahead of its role as host of the 2034 World Cup.
In contrast, the Premier League had just one representative in the top 50: Erling Haaland, who ranked 34th with $62 million. Even global stars like Mohamed Salah and Kevin De Bruyne, who featured in past rankings, failed to make the cut this year. The only other major European league with representatives was La Liga, with Kylian Mbappe earning $90 million (16th) and Vinicius Junior at 46th with $55 million.
