Cristiano Ronaldo's career has seen several notable shifts over the past eight years, from his time at Real Madrid to Juventus and Manchester United, and now playing for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League. Despite changing clubs, one constant in Ronaldo's career has been his ability to command significant earnings.
As of 2024, Ronaldo is recognised as the highest-paid athlete globally, with an estimated earning of $260 million. This staggering figure underscores his continued influence and marketability both on and off the field.
Ronaldo's enduring popularity, coupled with his exceptional talent and brand appeal, has ensured that he remains one of the most financially successful athletes in the world.
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Top 10 Highest Paid Athletes in the World 2024
Jon Rahm's presence at the No. 2 spot on the list highlights the impact of LIV Golf, the upstart golf league, on the sport's landscape. Rahm, one of the top golfers in the world, made headlines when he joined LIV Golf in December.
This move not only elevated his profile within the league but also solidified his position as one of the highest-paid athletes globally. Here is the complete list:
| Rank | Name | Sport | Total Earnings | On Field Earnings | Off Field Earnings |
| 1 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Soccer | $260 M | $200 M | $60 M |
| 2 | Jon Rahm | Golf | $218 M | $198 M | $20 M |
| 3 | Lionel Messi | Soccer | $135 M | $65 M | $70 M |
| 4 | LeBron James | Basketball | $128.2 M | $48.2 M | $80 M |
| 5 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | Basketball | $111 M | $46 M | $65 M |
| 6 | Kylian Mbappé | Soccer | $110 M | $90 M | $20 M |
| 7 | Neymar | Soccer | $108 M | $80 M | $28 M |
| 8 | Karim Benzema | Soccer | $106 M | $100 M | $6 M |
| 9 | Stephen Curry | Basketball | $102 M | $52 M | $50 M |
| 10 | Lamar Jackson | Football | $100.5 M | $98.5 M | $2 M |
Source: Forbes
In 2024, the highest-paid athlete in the world is Cristiano Ronaldo, with total earnings of $260 million (INR 2081 crore).
He earns $200 million on the field playing for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia and an additional $60 million off the field through endorsements with brands like Nike and his own CR7 merchandise.
Following closely is Jon Rahm, who has total earnings of $218 million (INR 1712 crore), with $198 million coming from his performance in golf and $20 million from endorsements, notably benefiting from his success in the LIV Golf Tour.
Lionel Messi ranks third with total earnings of $135 million (INR 1074 crore), which includes $65 million from on-field activities as he plays for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, alongside $70 million from endorsements with companies such as Adidas and Apple.
LeBron James follows with earnings of $128.2 million (INR 990 crore), where he makes $48.2 million on the court as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers and an impressive $80 million off the court through various business ventures, including his media company SpringHill.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is next on the list with total earnings of $111 million (INR 873 crore), comprising $46 million from his role with the Milwaukee Bucks and $65 million from endorsements with brands like Nike and WhatsApp.
Kylian Mbappé comes in at $110 million (INR 881 crore), earning $90 million on-field while playing for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and an additional $20 million through endorsements.
Neymar Jr. follows closely with total earnings of $108 million (INR 864 crore), which includes $80 million from his PSG salary and $28 million from endorsements.
Karim Benzema has total earnings of $106 million (INR 864 crore), primarily due to his recent transfer to Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia, where he earns $100 million on-field and $6 million off-field.
Stephen Curry earns a total of $102 million (INR 797 crore), with on-field earnings of $52 million as a star player for the Golden State Warriors and another $50 million from endorsements, particularly with Under Armour.
Lastly, Lamar Jackson rounds out the top ten with total earnings of $100.5 million (INR 790 crore), earning $98.5 million on the field as the quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens and an additional $2 million off-field.
Collectively, these top ten athletes have earned over $1.38 billion in 2024, highlighting significant increases in their earnings across various sports due to lucrative contracts and endorsements.
The list is based on Forbes' "The World's Highest-Paid Athletes" list, which provides a comprehensive overview of the earnings of the top athletes globally.
According to Forbes, the total earnings of the world's 50 highest-paid athletes amounted to an estimated $3.88 billion over the last 12 months before taxes and agents' fees. This figure marks a notable increase of 13% compared to the previous year's record mark of $3.44 billion.
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