Who Are the Highest Paid Athletes in the World?

4 months back Diego 9 minutes reading time

You highest paid athletes in the world They are not only masters of their sport, but also true walking financial empires.

In 2025, the global sports landscape reflects an era of multi-million dollar contracts, stratospheric sponsorships and off-field deals that transform talent into global brands.

But what really drives these gains?

Is it just performance on the field or something bigger, like the ability to captivate millions on social media and shape cultural trends?

In this article, we explore who these financial giants of sports are, how they built their fortunes, and what this reveals about the world we live in.

Based on data from Forbes, we delve into the numbers, stories, and strategies that define the top of the sports pyramid.

The Power of Contracts and Sponsorships

Imagine a chessboard where every move is calculated to maximize profits.

In this game, the highest paid athletes in the world are the kings and queens, moving with precision between sports contracts and commercial agreements.

Cristiano Ronaldo, for example, tops the Forbes 2025 list with an impressive US$$ 275 million (R$1.55 billion), with US$$ 225 million coming from his salary at Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia and US$$ 50 million from endorsements.

This balance between on-field and off-field gains is the key to reaching the top.

Besides soccer, basketball and American football dominate.

Stephen Curry, with $156 million, set a new NBA record, surpassing LeBron James's $128 million in 2024.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott pocketed US$137 million, boosted by a contract restructuring that guaranteed him two years' salary in just 12 months.

These numbers show that for the highest paid athletes in the world, talent is just the starting point; financial intelligence is what keeps them at the top.

Endorsement deals are a vital part of this equation, as they allow athletes to expand their personal brands and reach global audiences, creating new revenue opportunities.

+ The world's major sports leagues and how they work

Table 1: Top 5 Highest-Paid Athletes in the World in 2025 (Forbes)

Position	Athlete	Sport	Total Earnings (US$$)	On the Field (US$)	Off-field (US$)
1	Cristiano Ronaldo	Soccer	275 million	225 million	50 million
2	Stephen Curry	Basketball	156 million	52 million	104 million
3	Tyson Fury	Boxing	146 million	130 million	16 million
4	Dak Prescott	American Football	137 million	127 million	10 million
5	Lionel Messi	Soccer	135 million	65 million	70 million

To check the latest list, visit Forbes 2025.

Influence Beyond the Field

Why do some athletes transcend sport and become cultural icons?

The answer lies in building personal brands.

You highest paid athletes in the world They don't just play games; they sell dreams, lifestyles and products.

LeBron James, with US$133.8 million, is a living example of this.

In addition to his $48.8 million salary with the Los Angeles Lakers, he earns $85 million off the court, thanks to ventures such as SpringHill, his entertainment company.

This diversification is like a well-conducted orchestra, where every note—from sponsorship to content production—contributes to the symphony of success.

Another fascinating case is that of Juan Soto, a baseball player who, at the age of 26, reached US$114 million, ranking seventh on the list.

Soto, of the New York Yankees, leveraged a record MLB contract and partnerships with brands like Nike to build his fortune.

His rise shows how the highest paid athletes in the world not only rely on traditional leagues, but also on emerging markets and new exposure platforms.

Therefore, an athlete's ability to connect with audiences through their personal stories and experiences is a crucial factor in their influence and success off the field.

The Absence of Women and the Brazilian Reality

Despite the impressive numbers, the Forbes list reveals glaring gaps.

No women appear among the 50 highest paid athletes in the world, a reflection of structural inequalities in sports.

In 2023, Serena Williams was the last to be present, with US$1.5 million, but since then, the top has remained exclusively male.

This raises a crucial question: when will we see a woman break this barrier again?

In Brazil, representation is also limited.

Neymar, with US$$ 76 million, occupies 25th place, while Vinicius Jr., with US$$ 55 million, appears in 46th place.

Compared to the US$1.4 billion that Neymar earned in 2023, his decline reflects injuries and the transition to Santos.

Vinicius, with a new contract at Real Madrid until 2030, has the potential to rise.

These numbers show that, even with plenty of talent, Brazil still struggles to compete with the financial power of leagues like the NBA and NFL.

The absence of women on the highest-paid athletes lists is a call to action to promote gender equity in sports and ensure that female athletes receive the recognition and compensation they deserve.

++ How Public Image Impacts a Player's Market Value

The Role of Social Networks and New Media

Social networks are the stage where highest paid athletes in the world amplify their brands.

Cristiano Ronaldo, with 653 million followers on Instagram, turns every post into gold.

His YouTube channel, with over 75 million subscribers, is an example of how modern athletes diversify their income.

This digital influence is a profit engine, attracting brands like Binance and Nike, who pay millions to associate their names with it.

An original example: imagine a young Brazilian soccer player, like Pedro, from Flamengo, who is not yet among the richest.

If he invested in digital content, such as training videos or behind-the-scenes footage, he could attract global sponsors, following Ronaldo's model.

This strategy is a gateway for new talents to reach the level of highest paid athletes in the world, even without initial billion-dollar contracts.

Relevant Statistics: According to Forbes, the 10 highest-paid athletes in 2025 were worth US$1.4 billion, an increase of US$1.41 billion from US$1.38 billion in 2024, the highest total since 1990.

Furthermore, athletes' presence on social media not only increases their visibility, but also allows them to connect directly with their fans, creating a closer and more authentic relationship.

The Economic and Cultural Impact

These athletes’ gains do not exist in a vacuum.

They reflect the global sports economy, where broadcast rights, tickets and merchandising generate billions.

Tyson Fury, with US$1.46 million, illustrates how boxing, even with fewer annual events, can compete with team sports thanks to high-profile fights.

His rivalry with Oleksandr Usyk, which earned US$101 million outside the top 10, generates millions in pay-per-view.

Culturally, these athletes shape trends.

Lionel Messi, with US$135 million, not only elevated Inter Miami, but also transformed Miami into a soccer hub in the US.

An original example: think of a young Brazilian fan who, inspired by Messi, starts playing street soccer and dreams of becoming a star.

This intangible impact is as powerful as the dollars in your accounts.

Table 2: Earnings Distribution by Sport (Top 10, Forbes 2025)

Sport	Number of Athletes	Total Earnings (US$$)	Percentage of Total
Soccer	3	514 million	36,7%
Basketball	3	391.2 million	27,9%
Boxing	1	146 million	10,4%
American Football	1	137 million	9,8%
Baseball	2	216.5 million	15,4%

The economic impact these athletes generate is also felt in their communities, where their foundations and social initiatives often help promote change and support important causes.

Challenges and the Future

Be one of the highest paid athletes in the world comes with unique pressures.

Injuries, like those that affected Neymar, can destroy fortunes.

Furthermore, dependence on markets such as Saudi Arabia, which inflates the salaries of players such as Karim Benzema (US$104 million), raises ethical debates about "sportswashing".

How do these athletes navigate these turbulent waters?

Looking to the future, the rise of sports such as Formula 1, with Lewis Hamilton (US$80 million, 22nd) and Max Verstappen (US$78 million, 24th), suggests that new sports could challenge the dominance of football and basketball.

Additionally, the growth of women's sports, with stars like Caitlin Clark in basketball, could finally break the gender barrier on future lists.

Athletes' adaptation to new market dynamics and the evolution of social media will be crucial to ensuring they continue to thrive in an ever-changing landscape.

Conclusion: What Do These Numbers Teach Us?

You highest paid athletes in the world are more than numbers on a list.

They are mirrors of an era where sport is business, culture and influence.

From Ronaldo to Soto, from Curry to Fury, each tells a story of talent, strategy and vision.

But what do these gains say about us as a society?

They celebrate excellence, but they also expose inequalities and priorities.

As we admire these icons, it's worth reflecting: what do we want to value in the sport of tomorrow?

Credits: Data and information based on the Forbes 2025 list, published in Forbes 2025.