Football players remain the highest-earning sportspersons in the world. Of all the footballers in the world, Neymar earns the highest salary with €48.9 million per year, while his teammate, Lionel Messi is second with €40.5 million followed by Gareth Bale, at €34 million and Cristiano Ronaldo with €31.5 million.

While footballers dominate the earnings per year, it is Conor McGregor who is the highest earning athlete in the world. He earned €164 million last year, and only €20 million was due to sporting activities. The rest of it was paid out in the form of sponsorships.

Only McGregor, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo earn a total amount worth over €100 million in the world. The two football icons are compensated much more through their different sponsorship deals.

What are the earnings for athletes from other sports?

Cristiano Ronaldo has reclaimed top spot as the world’s highest paid soccer player over Lionel Messi. He is set to earn $125 million before taxes in the 2021-22 season, with $70 million coming from salary and bonus for his return to United. [@Forbes] pic.twitter.com/K7zJlFV3Mp
— United Zone (@ManUnitedZone_) September 21, 2021

Roger Federer (€76.8m) and Naomi Osaka (€50.8m) are the highest earners in the world of tennis. On the other hand, F1 drivers earn less than NFL or NBA players with only Hamilton having a comparable salary to the likes of LeBron James (€37.5m).

The pandemic has had a significant financial impact on all kinds of sports. But, English and German football have recovered well because of the higher attendance rates in stadiums. Moreover, the contracts with players had been agreed before the world came to a standstill. And as a result, clubs that are financially strong have continued to honor their players’ contracts.