Cristiano Ronaldo tops Forbes’ highest-paid athletes list with $275 million in 2025

Soccer Football - Saudi Pro League - Al Wehda v Al Nassr - King Abdul Aziz Stadium, Mecca, Saudi Arabia - February 25, 2025 Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts. REUTERS

RIYADH, May 16 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Cristiano Ronaldo has been named the world’s highest-paid athlete by Forbes for the third consecutive year and the fifth time in his career, with total earnings estimated at $275 million.

Ronaldo’s move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr significantly boosted his income, with $60 million earned on the field and $215 million from off-field deals, including endorsements and sponsorships driven by his unmatched social media presence—939 million followers across platforms as of May.

In second place is Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, whose total earnings reached $156 million, driven by NBA salary and partnerships. Curry became the first NBA player to reach 4,000 career three-pointers in March.

Boxer Tyson Fury claimed third place with $146 million, supported by partnerships including Maltese tourism and his Netflix reality series, despite losing his heavyweight titles to Oleksandr Usyk.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott ranked fourth with $137 million, primarily through record-setting signing bonuses and contract extensions.

Lionel Messi, now playing for Inter Miami, was fifth with $135 million, maintaining his earnings from 2024 through major deals with Adidas and Apple.

LeBron James followed at sixth with $133.8 million, while MLB star Juan Soto of the New York Mets came seventh, earning $114 million after signing the largest contract in baseball history—$765 million over 15 years.

Karim Benzema, who joined Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabia, placed eighth with $104 million, making him the second Saudi Pro League player in the top 10.

Shohei Ohtani, now with the Los Angeles Dodgers, ranked ninth with $102.5 million, bolstered by deferred earnings and a World Series win in 2024.

Rounding out the list is NBA’s Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns, who earned $101.4 million.