Cristiano Ronaldo has once again claimed the top spot on the Forbes list of highest paid athletes, marking his third straight year at number one and the fifth time in his illustrious career. Much of this financial success is credited to his high-profile move to Al-Nassr in the Middle East, which helped him generate an estimated $275 million in earnings last year, according to Forbes.
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Cristiano Ronaldo’s earnings have seen a further surge, fueled by recently secured sponsorship contracts and his unparalleled social media influence. By May 2025, the Portuguese athlete’s social media following had reached a remarkable 939 million across all platforms, reinforcing his position as a global icon, both in the sporting arena and beyond.
Top 10 highest paid athletes in the world in 2026
Cristiano Ronaldo: $275 million
- Sport: Soccer
- Age: 40
- Nationality: Portugal
- On-Field: $225 million
- Off-Field: $50 million
Stephen Curry: $156 million
- Sport: Basketball
- Age: 37
- Nationality: U.S.
- On-Field: $56 million
- Off-Field: $100 million
Tyson Fury: $146 million
- Sport: Boxing
- Age: 36
- Nationality: U.K.
- On-Field: $140 million
- Off-Field: $6 million
Dak Prescott: $137 million
- Sport: American Football
- Age: 31
- Nationality: U.S.
- On-Field: $127 million
- Off-Field: $10 million
Lionel Messi: $135 million
- Sport: Football
- Age: 37
- Nationality: Argentina
- On-Field: $60 million
- Off-Field: $75 million
LeBron James: $133.8 million
- Sport: Basketball
- Age: 40
- Nationality: U.S.
- On-Field: $48.8 million
- Off-Field: $85 million
Juan Soto: $114 million
- Sport: Baseball
- Age: 26
- Nationality: Dominican Republic
- On-Field: $109 million
- Off-Field: $5 million
Karim Benzema: $104 million
- Sport: Football
- Age: 37
- Nationality: France
- On-Field: $100 million
- Off-Field: $4 million
Shohei Ohtani: $102.5 million
- Sport: Baseball
- Age: 30
- Nationality: Japan
- On-Field: $2.5 million
- Off-Field: $100 million
Kevin Durant: $101.4 million
- Sport: Basketball
- Age: 36
- Nationality: U.S.
- On-Field: $51.4 million
- Off-Field: $50 million
Read more: The Top 10 Highest Paid Athletes of All Time – all the details you need to know
FAQ
What is Cristiano Ronaldo’s earning in 2025?
$275 million
