Top Ten World Highest-Paid Athletes In 2024

Cristiano Ronaldo, a forward for Portugal and Al Nassr, has been named the world's highest-paid athlete in the past year.

According to American business magazine Forbes, Cristiano Ronaldo and nine other players earned a whopping $1.38 billion in the last year. According to the magazine, this is the most money ten athletes have ever earned in a single year.
Ronaldo, who is 39 years old, earned a total of 260 million dollars in salary, incentives, and off-field sponsorship deals in 12 months.

This is 42 million dollars more than the second-ranked Jon Rahm earned during the same period. While Ronaldo made his money in the realm of sports, Rahm made his income in golf, notably after joining Saudi-backed LIV Golf..

According to Forbes, the Spanish golfer made $218 million in the last year, almost twice the amount Cristiano Ronaldo’s arch-rival, Lionel Messi made in the same period. The 36-year-old Inter Miami and Argentina forward reportedly made $135 million in the last 12 months.

Below are the highest-paid athletes in the world in 2024

1 Cristiano Ronaldo, footballer – $260 million.

2 Jon Rahm, golf – $218 million.

3 Lionel Messi, footballer $135 million.

4 LeBron James, basketballer – $128.2 million.

5 Giannis Antetokounmpo, basketballer $111 million.

6 Kylian Mbappe, footballer – $110 million.

7 Neymar, footballer – $108 million.

8 Karim Benzema, footballer – $106 million.

9 Stephen Curry, basketballer – $102 million.

10 Lamar Jackson, American football player – $100.5 million.

Note that this is the first time two athletes (Cristiano Ronaldo and Jon Rahm) made over $200 million within a year.