According to Forbes magazine, the top 10 highest-paid athletes in the world this year have collectively earned $1.4 billion.

This amount is an increase from last year's $1.38 billion and represents the largest total sum recorded since Forbes began ranking athlete earnings in 1990.

A notable feature of this year's list is that every member earned at least $100 million or more.

This is only the second time this has occurred (after 2024). Heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk ($101 million) and golfer Jon Rahm ($100 million) also reached this milestone but did not make the top 10 list.

Cristiano Ronaldo Tops the List

Footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has been named the world's highest-paid athlete for the third consecutive year and the fifth time overall.

• The 40-year-old Portuguese superstar earned an estimated $275 million over the past 12 months, before taxes and agent fees, calculated from both his playing salary at Saudi Arabia's Al-Nassr club and his off-field business ventures.


• This is the third-highest annual total ever recorded by Forbes for an active athlete, surpassed only by boxer Floyd Mayweather ($300 million in 2015 and $285 million in 2018).


• Ronaldo reportedly earns an estimated $225 million annually on the field playing for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, where he has been for two and a half years. While his contract is set to expire this summer, rumours suggest he may extend his contract with Al-Nassr or seek another lucrative deal elsewhere.

Stephen Curry Sets NBA Record

Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, who ranks No. 2 on the 2025 list, trails Ronaldo by $119 million.

• Curry's total earnings of $156 million set a new record for the NBA, surpassing the $128.2 million record set by LeBron James last year.

Significantly, four of the world's highest-paid athletes have substantial ties to Saudi Arabia.

Top 10 Highest-Paid Athletes of 2025