Cristiano Ronaldo

The top spot belongs to Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been playing for Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr since 2022. Last year, his total earnings reached $260 million, with $215 million coming from salary and bonuses, and an additional $45 million from endorsement deals. A significant portion of Ronaldo’s earnings came from sponsorships with sportswear giant Nike and luxury Italian brand Armani.

Stephen Curry

American NBA superstar Stephen Curry, who plays for the Golden State Warriors, takes second place on the list. In 2024, he earned nearly $154 million, with the majority ($100 million) coming from commercial ventures. Curry has long-term partnerships with major brands such as Under Armour (sportswear), JBL (audio equipment), Rakuten (global e-commerce giant), and Infiniti (posh automobiles).

Tyson Fury

British boxing icon Tyson Fury, known as the Gypsy King, ranks third on the list. His total earnings for 2024 reached $147 million, with an overwhelming $140 million coming from fight purses, and another $7 million from endorsements. The bulk of Fury’s income came from two high-profile fights against Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk, held in May and December 2024 in Saudi Arabia—even though Fury lost both bouts.

Lionel Messi

Fourth place goes to Argentinian football legend Lionel Messi, who has been playing for MLS club Inter Miami since 2023. In 2024, Messi earned $135 million, with $60 million from his club salary and $75 million from commercial projects. Messi’s key sponsorship partners include Adidas (sportswear), Apple TV (media platform), and Konami (video game developer). Besides, Messi actively invests in real estate, owning luxury properties in Spain, Argentina, and the US.

LeBron James

American NBA star LeBron James, who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers, ranks fifth on the list. In 2024, his earnings exceeded $133 million, with $80 million coming from endorsements and business ventures. James has long-standing partnerships with Nike (a long-term contract with the sportswear giant), Kia (automobile brand), and Sprite (one of the world’s leading soft drink manufacturers).