Professional athletes achieve remarkable financial success both on and off the field. As of 2025, the top 10 wealthiest athletes earned annually between $85.6 million to $285 million, representing sports like soccer, football, basketball, and golf.
These athletes not only shine in their respective fields but also enhance their income with endorsements, brand partnerships, and entrepreneurial ventures.
Here, we explore the global roster of the top-earning athletes in 2025, with special attention to Greece’s pride, Giannis Antetokounmpo:
Key Highlights:
- Professional athletes generate millions through endorsements, brand collaborations, and business endeavors.
- In 2025, sports’ top earners made between $85.6 million and $285 million.
- Portuguese soccer maestro Cristiano Ronaldo tops the list, earning $285 million.
- Cristiano Ronaldo: $285 Million
- Club: Al Nassr
- Earning $200 million annually from Al Nassr until 2025, Ronaldo also raked in $220 million in 2024 on the field and $65 million off-field, through deals with Herbalife, his CR7 brand, and a lifetime agreement with Nike.
- Jon Rahm: $218 Million
- Golfer Jon Rahm transitioned to the LIV Golf League in 2023 under a lucrative $350 million contract and amassed $198 million in 2024 through his sports career, along with $20 million from off-field sources.
- Lionel Messi: $135 Million
- Club: Inter Miami
- In 2024, Messi accumulated $65 million on the field and $70 million off the field, backed by partnerships with giants like Pepsi and Adidas, and his investments in a clothing line and real estate.
- LeBron James: $128.7 Million
- Team: Los Angeles Lakers
- With $48.7 million from his NBA salary and $80 million from endorsements, LeBron remains the highest-paid NBA star.
- Neymar: $110 Million
- Team: Al Hilal
- Neymar earned $80 million while playing and $30 million off-field via partnerships with Puma, Skims, and Red Bull.
- Stephen Curry: $105.8 Million
- Team: Golden State Warriors
- Curry’s $55.8 million earnings from basketball and $50 million from entrepreneurial ventures, like Curry Brand, highlight his financial acumen.
- Karim Benzema: $104 Million
- Benzema earned $100 million on the field and $4 million from endorsements, notably with Adidas.
- Giannis Antetokounmpo: $93.8 Million
- Team: Milwaukee Bucks
- Greece’s own Giannis earned $48.8 million from basketball, with an impressive $45 million in off-the-court activities. Known as “The Greek Freak,” Giannis captures the hearts of sports fans worldwide, partnering with Nike, Google, PepsiCo, and launching his media company, Improbable Media. Giannis exemplifies a fusion of relentless athleticism and strategic business foresight, inspiring countless young athletes in Greece and beyond.
- Kylian Mbappé: $90 Million
- Club: Real Madrid
- Mbappé secured $70 million from soccer and $20 million from endorsements with companies like Nike and Hublot.
- Jared Goff: $85.6 Million
- Team: Detroit Lions
- Goff’s $212 million contract with the Lions translates to $53 million annually, augmented by brand alliances with Netflix and Ford.
Conclusion
In 2025, Cristiano Ronaldo leads the list of top-earning athletes with $285 million, closely followed by Jon Rahm and LeBron James. Notably, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s outstanding performance places him among the world’s financial elite, accentuating his significance to Greece and his contribution to global sports. Meanwhile, Jared Goff rounds out the list with earnings reaching $85.6 million in 2024.
