# Top 10 highest paid athletes in the world in 2026

URL: https://technosports.co.in/top-10-highest-paid-athletes-in-the-world-2/  
Published: 2026-06-06  
Updated: 2026-06-07  
Author: Rahul Roy

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](https://www.forbes.com/sites/brettknight/2025/05/15/the-worlds-10-highest-paid-athletes-2025/).

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.

> Whether Cristiano Ronaldo is soccer’s GOAT is up for debate, but he turned in an all-time earnings year with $275 million, leading 10 superstars who collectively hauled in $1.4 billion. (Illustration by Neil Jamieson for Forbes) [https://t.co/eK020AZGgt](https://t.co/eK020AZGgt) [pic.twitter.com/3G34mvSVLy](https://t.co/3G34mvSVLy)
>
> — Forbes (@Forbes) [May 15, 2025](https://x.com/Forbes/status/1923024718623305860?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

## Top 10 highest paid athletes in the world in 2026

### **Cristiano Ronaldo**: $275 million

![Cristiano Ronaldo Gets an Unexpected Offer from Brazil Ahead of FIFA Showdown](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/z-290-1024x683.webp)
***Cristiano Ronaldo***

- Sport: **Soccer**
- Age: **40**
- Nationality: **Portugal**
- On-Field: **$225 million**
- Off-Field: **$50 million**

### **Stephen Curry**: $156 million

![nba](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/NBA-1024x801.jpg)

- Sport: **Basketball**
- Age: **37**
- Nationality: **U.S.**
- On-Field: **$56 million**
- Off-Field: **$100 million**

### **Tyson Fury**: $146 million

![Tyson fury](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/tyson-fury-793x1024.webp)

- Sport: **Boxing**
- Age: **36**
- Nationality: **U.K.**
- On-Field: **$140 million**
- Off-Field: **$6 million**

### **Dak Prescott**: $137 million

![Nfl: dallas cowboys at atlanta falcons](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Dak-Prescott-1024x683.webp)
*FILE PHOTO: Nov 3, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) walks off the field after a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images/File Photo*

- Sport: **American Football**
- Age: **31**
- Nationality: **U.S.**
- On-Field: **$127 million**
- Off-Field: **$10 million**

### **Lionel Messi**: $135 million

![Lionel Messi Becomes Inter Miami's All-Time Goal Contribution Leader, Overtakes Gonzalo Higuaín](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Lionel-Messi-1024x682.avif)
*Lionel Messi*

- Sport: **Football**
- Age: **37**
- Nationality: **Argentina**
- On-Field: **$60 million**
- Off-Field: **$75 million**

### **LeBron James**: $133.8 million

![Top 10 Players With the Most Career Points in NBA History](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/LeBron-James-1024x683.webp)
*LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 06: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on February 06, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)*

- Sport: **Basketball**
- Age: **40**
- Nationality: **U.S.**
- On-Field: **$48.8 million**
- Off-Field: **$85 million**

### **Juan Soto**: $114 million

![Juan soto](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Juan-Soto-1024x1024.webp)

- Sport: **Baseball**
- Age: **26**
- Nationality: **Dominican Republic**
- On-Field: **$109 million**
- Off-Field: **$5 million**

### **Karim Benzema**: $104 million

![Benzema](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/benzema.webp)

- Sport: **Football**
- Age: **37**
- Nationality: **France**
- On-Field: **$100 million**
- Off-Field: **$4 million**

### **Shohei Ohtani**: $102.5 million

![Shohei Ohtani's Record-Breaking $700 Million Deal: A Deep Dive into Unprecedented Deferrals](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/CH3HBSOQQNOKTILUHH37YXEOYM-1024x683.webp)
*Aug 26, 2023; New York City, New York, USA; Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) works out prior to the game against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports*

- Sport: **Baseball**
- Age: **30**
- Nationality: **Japan**
- On-Field: **$2.5 million**
- Off-Field: **$100 million**

### **Kevin Durant**: $101.4 million

![Kevin durant](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Kevin-Durant-1024x683.webp)
*HOUSTON, TEXAS – FEBRUARY 12: Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns looks on against the Houston Rockets during the first half at Toyota Center on February 12, 2025 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)*

- 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](https://technosports.co.in/top-10-highest-paid-athletes-of-all-time/)**

## FAQ

### What is Cristiano Ronaldo’s earning in 2025?

$275 million