Cristiano Ronaldo has cemented his status as sport’s biggest earner for the third straight year (and fifth time overall), leading Forbes’ 2025 list with an eye‑watering $275 million in combined on‑field salary and off‑field endorsements. The Al Nassr superstar’s total climbed by about $15 million thanks to new sponsorship deals and the unrivalled reach of his 939 million social‑media following.
Record paydays and new faces in the top ten
| Rank | Athlete | Sport | 2025 Earnings* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Football | $275 m |
| 2 | Stephen Curry | Basketball | $156 m |
| 3 | Tyson Fury | Boxing | $146 m |
| 4 | Dak Prescott | American Football | $137 m |
| 5 | Lionel Messi | Football | $135 m |
| 6 | LeBron James | Basketball | $133.8 m |
| 7 | Juan Soto | Baseball | $114 m |
| 8 | Karim Benzema | Football | $104 m |
| 9 | Shohei Ohtani | Baseball | $102.5 m |
| 10 | Kevin Durant | Basketball | $101.4 m |
*Forbes counts salary/bonuses earned over the last 12 months plus off‑field income (endorsements, licensing, appearances, businesses).
Key take‑aways
- NBA’s surge: Golden State Warriors icon Stephen Curry leaps to No. 2 with an NBA‑record $156 million, propelled by a new media portfolio and equity deals.
- Box‑office boxer: Despite losing his belts, Tyson Fury pockets $146 million—thanks to a Netflix show and Maltese tourism partnership.
- Gridiron gold: Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott vaults to fourth; monster signing bonuses push his haul to $137 million.
- MLS effect steady: Lionel Messi stays inside the top five with $135 million, driven by MLS wages plus Apple and adidas deals.
- Baseball boom: Juan Soto’s record $765 million contract helps him debut at No. 7, while Shohei Ohtani’s deferred‑salary megadeal (and World Series win) keeps him in the top ten.
Why Ronaldo keeps breaking the bank
- Saudi salary spike: His Al Nassr deal is reportedly worth nearly $200 million annually in wages and commercial rights.
- Brand magnet: Rolex, Nike, Binance and other sponsors pour in eight‑figure sums, justified by his unmatched online reach.
- Entrepreneurial empire: CR7‑branded hotels, gyms, fragrances and digital collectibles add extra layers of income.
The bigger picture
For the first time, every athlete in the top ten banked $100 million‑plus over 12 months, underscoring how new media rights, sovereign‑wealth money (Saudi Pro League), and mega‑contracts (MLB, NFL, NBA) are redefining earning ceilings across sports.
With Riyadh, Riyadh’s Pro League, and North American broadcast giants all writing bigger cheques, expect the 2026 list to feature even larger numbers—and perhaps a fresh rivalry at the summit if Stephen Curry’s off‑court empire keeps expanding.
