20 Highest-Paid Athletes in the World

The staggering sums earned in sports continue to climb each year, and 2024 was no exception, as Sportico recently unveiled the world's highest-paid athletes.

As expected, the list is dominated by stars from football, basketball, American football, boxing, and golf, with earnings surpassing $100 million through salaries, endorsements, and prize money. Football, in particular, stood out, with five players securing spots in the top 10.

While Sportico released a ranking of the top 100 earners, our focus will be on the elite top 10. However, before diving into that, here’s a look at the athletes who narrowly missed out, finishing between 11th and 20th.

10. Jon Rahm

Golf - $105.8m

Jon Rahm, the Spanish professional golfer from the Basque Country, has enjoyed a highly successful career, with some of his biggest achievements coming in 2021, when he became the first Spaniard to win the U.S. Open, and in 2023, when he claimed victory at The Masters.

In 2024, Rahm's earnings reached an impressive $105.8 million, with $85.8 million coming from salary and winnings. The remaining $20 million was secured through endorsements, making it another lucrative year for both his career and his bank balance.

9. Kylian Mbappe

Football - $110m

French forward Kylian Mbappe ranks ninth on the list with total earnings of $110 million in 2024. Now playing in La Liga for Real Madrid, the French captain has already netted 16 goals in 21 appearances this season.

Widely regarded as one of the best players of his generation, Mbappe’s popularity is reflected in his $20 million in endorsements. Meanwhile, his salary brings in a staggering $85 million, further cementing his status as one of the world's highest-paid athletes.

8. Karim Benzema

Football - $116m

Another French star makes the list, with Karim Benzema securing eighth place. The veteran forward currently plays for Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League, where he also wears the captain’s armband. So far this season, he has featured in 16 matches, finding the net 14 times.

Benzema’s earnings for 2024 reached an impressive $116 million, further highlighting the financial power of the Saudi League. A staggering $108 million of that total came from his salary alone, reinforcing the league’s ability to attract top talent with lucrative contracts.

7. Oleksandr Usyk

Boxing - $122m

Oleksandr Usyk has solidified his status as a boxing legend in 2024. The 38-year-old etched his name into history by defeating Tyson Fury twice via the judges' scorecards. His first victory crowned him the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world—the first since Lennox Lewis. He then reinforced his dominance by winning the rematch, seemingly pushing the Gypsy King into retirement.

Despite his monumental achievements in the ring, only $2 million of Usyk’s earnings came from endorsements, proving that his wealth was largely built on his performances inside the ropes.

6. Neymar

Football - $133m

Neymar has been raking in massive earnings for years, so it’s no surprise to see him on this list—even after an ACL injury with Saudi club Al-Hilal in 2023 sidelined him for most of the season. Recently, the Brazilian made an emotional return to his boyhood club, Santos, nearly 12 years after leaving, hinting that the twilight of his career may be approaching. Despite his limited time on the pitch, Neymar still pulled in a staggering $133 million in 2024, with $108 million coming from his salary alone.

5. LeBron James

Basketball - $133.2m

Even if you’re not a basketball fan, you’ve probably heard of LeBron James. One of the most talked-about athletes of his generation, "King James" has made an impact both on and off the court. Currently playing for the LA Lakers, he’s widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. The U.S. national team star and three-time Olympic gold medalist pulled in an impressive $133.2 million in 2024—but what’s even more remarkable is that the bulk of his earnings came from endorsements ($85 million), surpassing his salary ($48.2 million). Not a bad paycheck for putting a ball through a hoop!

4. Lionel Messi

Football - $135m

The GOAT claims fourth place on the list. Lionel Messi, a name that needs no introduction to football fans, earned a staggering $135 million in 2024. If, by some chance, you’ve been living under a rock and don’t know his legacy, here are just a few highlights: 45 team trophies, a historic World Cup win with Argentina in 2022, and a record 672 goals for Barcelona—the most ever scored for a single club. Now showcasing his talent in the U.S. with Inter Miami, Messi’s earnings break down to $60 million in salary and a hefty $75 million from endorsements. Safe to say, his GOAT status remains untouched.

3. Tyson Fury

Boxing - $147m

Despite suffering two major defeats in 2024, Tyson Fury's bank account didn’t take a hit. The Gypsy King raked in a jaw-dropping $147 million last year, proving that even back-to-back losses to fellow top-10 earner Oleksandr Usyk couldn’t dent his earning power. Both fights were decided by the judges’ scorecards, but Fury still walked away with a massive payday. Having since announced his retirement, the Brit now has plenty of time to enjoy his fortune. Interestingly, despite his huge earnings, only $7 million came from endorsements—higher than only Usyk among the top 10.

2. Stephen Curry

Basketball - $153.8m

Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry secures the runner-up spot with a staggering $153.8 million in earnings for 2024. What’s even more impressive is that $100 million of that came purely from endorsements, showcasing just how lucrative basketball is both in the U.S. and globally. A four-time NBA champion and two-time league MVP, Curry remains one of the sport’s biggest stars. However, despite his enormous earnings, he’s still miles behind the athlete who claimed the top spot…

1. Cristiano Ronaldo

Football - $260m

If it wasn’t obvious already, Portuguese football icon Cristiano Ronaldo has claimed the top spot for 2024. Before last year, he had earned at least $100 million annually for eight consecutive years, but 2024 saw his earnings skyrocket to an incredible $260 million—thanks in large part to his record-breaking contract with Saudi club Al-Nassr. With his current deal set to expire later this year, one thing is certain—whatever his next move is, it won’t require him to cut back on spending.