Africa-Press – Mauritius. Cristiano Ronaldo continues to dominate the financial side of global sports. For the third year in a row, the Portuguese striker, now playing for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, has been crowned the world’s highest-paid athlete by Forbes, with total earnings estimated at a staggering €246 million.
This includes both his salary and massive commercial revenue. Behind him, Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry takes second place with €139 million, while boxing champion Tyson Fury rounds out the top three with €130 million.
Football remains well represented in the top 10, with Lionel Messi earning €121 million and Karim Benzema following with €93 million. However, one notable absence has made headlines: Kylian Mbappé. The French forward, despite his on-field performances and global fame, ranks only 16th with €80 million. His recent move to Real Madrid hasn’t yet boosted him into the financial elite, highlighting how off-field earnings—sponsorships, endorsements, and business ventures—play a decisive role in this ranking.
Top 10 highest-paid athletes in the world (2025, Forbes):
Cristiano Ronaldo (football) – €246 million
Stephen Curry (basketball) – €139 million
Tyson Fury (boxing) – €130 million
Dak Prescott (American football) – €122 million
Lionel Messi (football) – €121 million
LeBron James (basketball) – €120 million
Juan Soto (baseball) – €102 million
Karim Benzema (football) – €93 million
Shohei Ohtani (baseball) – €92 million
Kevin Durant (basketball) – €90 million
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