Lionel Messi smiling at a press conference, wearing a dark suit and tie, with a blue backdrop featuring Nike and PSG logos.

10 Highest-Paid Athletes

By Ben McKimm - News

Updated: 9 July, 2026

Readtime: 9 min

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Cristiano Ronaldo leads the highest-paid athletes list at USD$300 million, with Forbes placing the Portuguese forward clear of every other sports figure as of 2026-07-08. This year’s ranking is shaped by three forces: Saudi football’s capacity to pay elite names, boxing’s event-driven purses, and the growing power of athlete brands that can rival playing income. The split between on-field and off-field earnings matters as much as the totals, with Shohei Ohtani, LeBron James and Lionel Messi showing how endorsements can reshape the table. For readers tracking the business of sport rather than just the scoreboard, Forbes’ World’s Highest-Paid Athletes 2026 offers a clean snapshot of who converts performance, profile and market leverage into the largest annual earnings.

Highest-Paid Athletes at a Glance

Highest earner: Cristiano Ronaldo (USD$300 million)
Biggest off-field brand: Shohei Ohtani (USD$127.6 million)
Most balanced income split: Lionel Messi (USD$140 million)
Top combat sports earner: Canelo Alvarez (USD$170 million)
Leading motorsport figure: Lewis Hamilton (USD$100 million)

The 10 Highest-Paid Athletes

Cristiano Ronaldo, Soccer — Cristiano Ronaldo | Image: Wikimedia Commons (YantsImages)

1. Cristiano Ronaldo: USD$300 million

Cristiano Ronaldo remains the clearest example of football fame turning into global earning power. The Al Nassr and Portugal forward is football’s all-time leading international goalscorer, a status that keeps his value high well beyond matchday. Forbes credits him with $235M on-field and $65M off-field, while his lifetime Nike deal, widely reported at over US$1 billion, underlines the scale of his commercial pull.

Sport: Soccer
On-field: USD$235 million
Off-field (endorsements): USD$65 million
Age: 41
Nationality: Portuguese
Known for: Al Nassr and Portugal forward, football's all-time leading international goalscorer
Signature endorsement: Nike (lifetime deal, widely reported at over US$1 billion)
Salary source: Forbes

Canelo Alvarez, Boxing — Canelo Alvarez | Image: Wikimedia Commons (Box Azteca)

2. Canelo Alvarez: USD$170 million

Canelo Alvarez is the highest placed fighter on the list because elite boxing still rewards scarcity, risk and pay-per-view gravity. The Mexican star is a four-division world champion and former undisputed super-middleweight king, giving him the résumé and negotiating leverage few active fighters can match. His earnings are driven overwhelmingly by the ring, with Forbes listing $160M on-field against $10M off-field, plus an Everlast endorsement.

Sport: Boxing
On-field: USD$160 million
Off-field (endorsements): USD$10 million
Age: 35
Nationality: Mexican
Known for: Four-division world champion boxer, former undisputed super-middleweight king
Signature endorsement: Everlast
Salary source: Forbes

Lionel Messi, Soccer — Lionel Messi | Image: Wikimedia Commons (Andy Witchger)

3. Lionel Messi: USD$140 million

Lionel Messi’s earning profile is almost perfectly balanced, which says plenty about the durability of his brand. The Inter Miami forward is a record eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and a 2022 World Cup champion, two pillars that keep him central to football culture even in the later stage of his career. Forbes lists $70M on-field and $70M off-field, supported by an Adidas lifetime deal estimated at around US$20 million a year.

Sport: Soccer
On-field: USD$70 million
Off-field (endorsements): USD$70 million
Age: 39
Nationality: Argentine
Known for: Inter Miami forward, record eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and 2022 World Cup champion
Signature endorsement: Adidas (lifetime deal, estimated ~US$20 million a year)
Salary source: Forbes

LeBron James, Basketball — LeBron James | Image: Wikimedia Commons (Erik Drost)

4. LeBron James: USD$137.8 million

LeBron James sits in the rare space where sporting legacy and business infrastructure reinforce each other. The LA Lakers forward is the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and a four-time champion, which keeps his authority intact across basketball, media and consumer brands. His off-field total of $85M outpaces his $52.8M on-field earnings, with a Nike lifetime deal reported at over US$1 billion anchoring the portfolio.

Sport: Basketball
On-field: USD$52.8 million
Off-field (endorsements): USD$85 million
Age: 41
Nationality: American
Known for: LA Lakers forward, the NBA's all-time leading scorer and a four-time champion
Signature endorsement: Nike (lifetime deal, reported at over US$1 billion)
Salary source: Forbes

Shohei Ohtani, Baseball — Shohei Ohtani | Image: Wikimedia Commons (All-Pro Reels)

5. Shohei Ohtani: USD$127.6 million

Shohei Ohtani is the list’s most striking endorsement story, not because his playing talent needs explaining, but because his commercial income dwarfs his salary figure here. The LA Dodgers two-way star and multiple-time MVP has become a rare baseball figure with true global recognition, particularly across Japan and the United States. Forbes records $2.6M on-field and $125M off-field, with New Balance named as his signature endorsement.

Sport: Baseball
On-field: USD$2.6 million
Off-field (endorsements): USD$125 million
Age: 32
Nationality: Japanese
Known for: LA Dodgers two-way star and multiple-time MVP
Signature endorsement: New Balance
Salary source: Forbes

Stephen Curry, Basketball — Stephen Curry | Image: Wikimedia Commons (El Viejas God)

6. Stephen Curry: USD$124.7 million

Stephen Curry’s value starts with changing how basketball is played. The Golden State Warriors guard is the NBA’s all-time three-point leader, and that identity gives him a clean, marketable signature in a league built around personality and style. Forbes lists $59.7M on-field and $65M off-field, with a Li-Ning agreement reported at around US$400 million over 10 years.

Sport: Basketball
On-field: USD$59.7 million
Off-field (endorsements): USD$65 million
Age: 38
Nationality: American
Known for: Golden State Warriors guard and the NBA's all-time three-point leader
Signature endorsement: Li-Ning (reported at ~US$400 million over 10 years)
Salary source: Forbes

Jon Rahm, Golf — Jon Rahm | Image: Wikimedia Commons (Bryan Berlin)

7. Jon Rahm: USD$107 million

Jon Rahm represents the new economics of elite golf, where tour alignment and guaranteed earning power have shifted the sport’s financial ceiling. The Spanish LIV Golf star is a former world number one and two-time major champion, so his market value rests on proven major pedigree rather than novelty. Forbes attributes $97M on-field and $10M off-field to Rahm, with Callaway listed as his signature endorsement.

Sport: Golf
On-field: USD$97 million
Off-field (endorsements): USD$10 million
Age: 31
Nationality: Spanish
Known for: LIV Golf star, former world number one and two-time major champion
Signature endorsement: Callaway
Salary source: Forbes

Karim Benzema, Soccer — Karim Benzema | Image: Wikimedia Commons (Real Madrid)

8. Karim Benzema: USD$104 million

Karim Benzema’s place reflects how Saudi football has altered the pay scale for proven European stars. The French striker, listed with Al-Hilal, brings the cachet of a 2022 Ballon d’Or winner and a career built on elite finishing and link play. Forbes records $100M on-field and $4M off-field, with Adidas as his signature endorsement, making his ranking heavily tied to playing income.

Sport: Soccer
On-field: USD$100 million
Off-field (endorsements): USD$4 million
Age: 38
Nationality: French
Known for: 2022 Ballon d'Or winner, striker for Saudi club Al-Hilal
Signature endorsement: Adidas
Salary source: Forbes

Kevin Durant, Basketball — Kevin Durant | Image: Wikimedia Commons (Clement Bardot)

9. Kevin Durant: USD$103.8 million

Kevin Durant remains one of basketball’s most bankable names because his playing résumé still carries heavyweight credibility. The American forward is a two-time NBA champion and the 2014 league MVP, achievements that support both salary value and long-term sponsor demand. Forbes lists $54.8M on-field and $49M off-field, while his Nike lifetime deal is noted as the brand’s third after Jordan and LeBron.

Sport: Basketball
On-field: USD$54.8 million
Off-field (endorsements): USD$49 million
Age: 37
Nationality: American
Known for: Two-time NBA champion and 2014 league MVP
Signature endorsement: Nike (lifetime deal, Nike's third after Jordan and LeBron)
Salary source: Forbes

Lewis Hamilton, Formula 1 — Lewis Hamilton | Image: Wikimedia Commons (Number 10)

10. Lewis Hamilton: USD$100 million

Lewis Hamilton gives Formula 1 a presence inside the top 10 through a combination of racing history, fashion visibility and global crossover appeal. The British driver is a seven-time Formula 1 world champion and is now driving for Ferrari, a pairing with obvious commercial weight. Forbes credits him with $70M on-field and $30M off-field, with Puma named as his signature endorsement.

Sport: Auto Racing (Formula 1)
On-field: USD$70 million
Off-field (endorsements): USD$30 million
Age: 41
Nationality: British
Known for: Seven-time Formula 1 world champion, now driving for Ferrari
Signature endorsement: Puma
Salary source: Forbes

On-Field vs Off-Field: Where the Money Comes From

For the world’s top athletes the balance between salary and endorsements varies wildly. This is how on-field pay stacks up against off-field income across the top 10.

Stacked bar chart of on-field versus off-field earnings for the highest-paid athletes — Highest-paid athletes: on-field vs off-field earnings | Chart: Man of Many

Highest-Paid Athletes Compared

Rank	Name	Sport	2026 earnings	Age
1	Cristiano Ronaldo	Soccer	USD$300 million	41
2	Canelo Alvarez	Boxing	USD$170 million	35
3	Lionel Messi	Soccer	USD$140 million	39
4	LeBron James	Basketball	USD$137.8 million	41
5	Shohei Ohtani	Baseball	USD$127.6 million	32
6	Stephen Curry	Basketball	USD$124.7 million	38
7	Jon Rahm	Golf	USD$107 million	31
8	Karim Benzema	Soccer	USD$104 million	38
9	Kevin Durant	Basketball	USD$103.8 million	37
10	Lewis Hamilton	Auto Racing (Formula 1)	USD$100 million	41

Scroll horizontally to view full table

How This List Was Compiled

The figures come from Forbes’ World’s Highest-Paid Athletes 2026, current as of 2026-07-08, and combine on-field earnings with off-field income. On-field covers salaries, winnings and sport-related pay, while off-field captures endorsements, licensing and other commercial activity attributed by Forbes.

Highest-Paid Athletes FAQs

Who is the highest-paid athlete in 2026?

Cristiano Ronaldo is the highest-paid athlete on Forbes’ 2026 list, with total earnings of USD$300 million. The figure combines $235M on-field and $65M off-field, reflecting both his Al Nassr playing income and his enduring commercial value through global recognition and Nike backing.

Which athlete earns the most away from competition?

Shohei Ohtani has the largest off-field figure in the supplied Forbes data, with $125M listed away from the field. That is far above his $2.6M on-field amount here, showing how his two-way baseball stardom and international appeal have translated into endorsement strength, led by New Balance.

Why do footballers feature so strongly on the list?

Football dominates global attention, and the list shows how that reach converts into both salaries and endorsements. Ronaldo, Messi and Benzema all appear in the top 10, with Saudi club spending, Inter Miami’s commercial platform and long-running Adidas or Nike relationships contributing to their positions.

How are on-field and off-field earnings different?

On-field earnings refer to money tied directly to sporting work, including salaries, purses, winnings and competition-related pay. Off-field earnings cover endorsements, licensing and commercial activity. Forbes combines both to rank the highest-paid athletes, which is why brand-heavy names such as LeBron James and Shohei Ohtani sit so high.