The lists · 10 people

The best-paid athletes

On-field money and off-field money, for the twelve months to May 2026, with the split named where it is published.

1. 1Cristiano Ronaldo$235M from Al-Nassr, $65M off the pitch. Fourth year at the top · Portugal$300MEarnings, one year
2. 2Canelo ÁlvarezBoxing purses, chiefly the Crawford fight · Mexico$170MEarnings, one year
3. 3Lionel MessiAbout half football, half endorsements and business · Argentina$140MEarnings, one year
4. 4LeBron JamesBasketball · United States$137.8MEarnings, one year
5. 5Shohei OhtaniBaseball, and the largest endorsement book in the sport · Japan$127.6MEarnings, one year
6. 6Stephen CurryBasketball and a lifetime deal with Under Armour · United States$124.7MEarnings, one year
7. 7Jon RahmGolf, mostly guaranteed money from LIV · Spain$107MEarnings, one year
8. 8Karim BenzemaFootball in Saudi Arabia · France$104MEarnings, one year
9. 9Kevin DurantBasketball, endorsements and venture investments · United States$103.8MEarnings, one year
10. 10Lewis HamiltonFormula One, and the Ferrari move · United Kingdom$100MEarnings, one year

These are earnings for one year, before tax and before agents take their share. They are not net worth and are not ranked against it.

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