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The Highest Earning Athletes In The World In 2025

Cristiano Ronaldo might be edging closer to the twilight of his playing career, but financially, he’s never been brighter.

For the third year in a row, and the fifth time in his legendary career, the Portuguese icon has topped Forbes’ list of the world’s highest-paid athletes.

At 40, Ronaldo banked an astonishing $275 million in the past year.

That figure isn’t just a record but a reflection of the enduring global power of his brand, his consistency as a sporting force, and his pioneering role in pushing athletes toward financial superstardom.

And yet, Ronaldo is only the tip of the iceberg.

In all, the ten highest-paid athletes in 2025 earned a combined $1.38 billion before taxes and agents’ fees. That number is just shy of the all-time record set in 2023, a sign that even in a shifting sports economy, with new stars rising, geopolitical influence growing, and aging icons hanging on, the business of elite athletes is only getting more lucrative.

So, who made the list? And what do their stories say about the state of global sport?

Let’s break it down.

10. Kevin Durant – $101.4 million (Basketball)

Durant rounds out the list with a mix of playing salary, equity from business ventures like Boardroom and 35V, and sneaker sales through his Nike partnership. Quiet but calculated, KD is investing in tech, crypto, and sports media, positioning himself as a new-era businessman-athlete.

9. Shohei Ohtani – $102.5 million (Baseball)

The Japanese two-way sensation inked a historic deal with the LA Dodgers worth $700 million—albeit heavily deferred. Ohtani’s off-field appeal, though, is the real cash cow. He earned over $50 million from endorsements, more than any MLB player ever, making him a trans-Pacific brand juggernaut.

8. Karim Benzema – $104 million (Football)

Karim Benzema’s move to Al-Ittihad was another statement signing for the Saudi Pro League, following the path blazed by Cristiano Ronaldo. The deal made him one of the best-paid players in football history.

Though Injuries and form have hindered his play, financially, it’s still a win. The scale of his contract and his lasting commercial appeal ensured he remained firmly among the world’s top-earning athletes.

7. Juan Soto – $114 million (Baseball)

Juan Soto’s move to the New York Yankees didn’t just make headlines, it made history. His 10-year, $700 million deal is the richest in baseball on an annual basis, with his 2025 earnings alone nearing $100 million, boosted by hefty signing bonuses.

Beyond the numbers, it marks a shift in Major League Baseball. Soto’s rise reflects a new era led by younger, more marketable Latino stars at a time when baseball’s global appeal is beginning to surge.

6. LeBron James – $133.8 million (Basketball)

LeBron James no longer needs to dominate the court to dominate the earnings list. Now 40, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer made more money off the court than on it in 2025. His business ventures through SpringHill Company, investments in Blaze Pizza, Fenway Sports Group, and continued Nike partnerships have made him a mogul.

James, by all accounts, is laying the blueprint for athletes aiming to become billionaires, without needing to dribble a ball forever.

5. Lionel Messi – $135 million (Football)

Lionel Messi’s arrival in Major League Soccer was as much a media event as a football transfer. The Argentine superstar joined Inter Miami and helped break attendance records across the league. Messi’s salary is significant, but the real gold lies in equity deals with Apple, Adidas, and MLS itself, arrangements designed to reward him for every subscriber and shirt sold.

Even at 37, Messi’s influence is unmatched in the Americas. And with the 2026 World Cup in the U.S. fast approaching, his marketability might actually rise.

4. Dak Prescott – $137 million (American Football)

NFL quarterbacks continue to enjoy a golden era of contract payouts. Dak Prescott’s $240 million extension with the Dallas Cowboys includes front-loaded bonuses and incentives that brought his annual income to over $137 million in 2025 alone.

That’s without counting his off-field endorsements with companies like AT&T, Beats by Dre, and Adidas. In a league where longevity is rare, Prescott is proving that a steady arm and clean image can mean long-term earning power.

3. Tyson Fury – $146 million (Boxing)

Despite not holding all the heavyweight belts, Tyson Fury remains the biggest box-office draw in boxing. His earnings were boosted by two high-profile fights, lucrative Pay-Per-View deals, and a major reality show with Netflix.

What’s more intriguing is that Fury’s success is evidence that boxing, often written off as a sport in decline, still knows how to mint millionaires, especially when there’s a personality fans can’t ignore.

2. Stephen Curry – $156 million (Basketball)

Stephen Curry has long been known for his range on the court, but his financial reach stretches just as far. The Golden State Warriors star earned around $50 million from his NBA salary this year, but that’s only part of the picture.

Off the court, Curry has positioned himself as one of the most marketable athletes in the world. His lifetime deal with Under Armour, reportedly worth over $1 billion, sits alongside a growing list of investments in tech startups and the steady rise of his Curry Brand in the sportswear space. At 36, he’s not just banking on basketball, but he’s building something that could last well beyond his playing days.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo – $275 million (Football)

Cristiano Ronaldo leads the list with $275 million in earnings, much of it driven by his lucrative move to Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia. Forbes estimates $200 million came from his playing contract alone this past year, with the rest from endorsements, CR7-branded ventures, and a near-billion-strong social media following.

It’s not just the money, but the impact. No other athlete has combined elite performance with commercial power quite like Ronaldo. His presence in Saudi Arabia has done more than boost his bank account. It’s helped lure stars like Benzema and Neymar and shift the financial landscape of football itself.

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He Gives Us Energy: William Saliba Hails Mastermind Behind Arsenal’s Defensive Dominance

William Saliba and Gabriel Heinze during Arsenal training session

Arsenal’s defensive dominance in the Premier League has a new driving force behind it, according to William Saliba. The French centre-back has hailed Gabriel Heinze, Mikel Arteta’s new first-team coach, as the mastermind behind the Gunners’ impressive backline.

Since joining Arteta’s staff in July, Heinze has brought his trademark intensity and energy to Arsenal’s training ground, helping a side that has conceded just seven goals in 14 Premier League matches — the best defensive record in the division.

Heinze’s Influence On The Gunners

Speaking to the Men in Blazers Media Network, Saliba described Heinze as a constant presence around the defenders:

“Gabriel Heinze helps a lot, especially the defenders. He gives us energy because he’s always talking, always loud — even in training when we do simple things, he’s always loud. Even for nothing, he will be loud! He talks a lot and it’s good to have him close to us. I think this guy can help us a lot.”

Saliba’s comments paint a vivid picture of Heinze as a demanding coach, whose booming voice and relentless standards lift the entire defensive unit.

Arteta added context to Heinze’s appointment, noting their long-standing friendship and mutual trust:

“He’s a winner. He’s won in many clubs he’s been at. We’ve known each other for 23 years, I’m very close to that. It brings something extra.”

He praised Heinze’s tactical insight and complementary personality:

“We complement each other really well, and everybody brings a different insight, a different character, a different personality, to the table that makes us a much better team.”

A Winning Pedigree

Heinze’s coaching approach is rooted in a winning playing career. From PSG to Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Marseille, the former defender was known for hard tackling and relentless duels. Since retiring in 2014, he’s built a coaching résumé across South America and the U.S., including stints at Godoy Cruz, Argentinos Juniors, Velez Sarsfield, Atlanta United, and Newell’s Old Boys.

Testing Defensive Resilience

Heinze’s influence comes at a time when Arsenal’s defense has been hit by injuries. Key centre-backs Saliba and Gabriel have been sidelined, forcing Arteta to deploy makeshift partnerships like Mosquera, Piero Hincapie, and Jurrien Timber. Despite the reshuffling, Arsenal still secured a 2-0 victory over Brentford, proving the defensive organisation and resilience Heinze has instilled.

Arteta commented on the injury situation:

“He (Saliba) had a little niggle, so I think it’s going to be a matter of days. Big Gabi is doing very well as well, but that’s weeks as well.”

With Heinze bringing energy, intensity, and tactical sharpness, Arsenal’s defensive stability continues to impress, even amid injury crises — a testament to the Argentine coach’s impact on the Premier League leaders.

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Arne Slot Confirms Mohamed Salah Is ‘Always In My Mind’ Amid Liverpool Absence

Mohamed Salah sitting on Liverpool bench during Premier League match

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has addressed the speculation surrounding Mohamed Salah, admitting that the Egypt forward is “always in my mind” despite being left out of the last two starting line-ups.

Salah, 33, has had a slow start to the Premier League season, scoring just four goals, and has played only 45 minutes across the last two games. The forward’s omission from the starting XI has sparked talk of a potential Saudi Pro League move, though Salah recently signed a two-year contract extension with Liverpool in April.

Slot Explains Salah Situation

“I think for every player in my mind can start and Mo is an exceptional player for us,” Slot said. “He is always in my mind to either start or to come off the bench.”

Salah played a starring role last season, scoring 29 goals as Liverpool lifted the Premier League in Slot’s first campaign. However, he was an unused substitute in Liverpool’s 2-1 win at West Ham and again came off the bench in the 1-1 draw at home to Sunderland.

Slot acknowledged the chatter around Salah’s absence, saying:

“The chatter, yes because he deserves that, he has been so influential for me and six or seven years. It’s completely normal people talk about it when he isn’t playing.”

Van Dijk Weighs In

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk also commented, highlighting that no player at the club has “unlimited credit”:

“He is still a fantastic player and we still have to remember there is a reason why he has been so successful at the club and we have to respect that. I need him around as one of the leaders. He’s disappointed but that’s absolutely normal. It’s always been the case that no one is undroppable.”

This statement underscores the high standards at Liverpool, even for one of their most prolific stars.

Liverpool’s Current Form

The Reds are currently ninth in the Premier League, 11 points behind leaders Arsenal, having won just two of their nine league games. Salah’s presence will be crucial as Liverpool look to regain momentum, with their next game set against Leeds United.

While fans debate Salah’s place in the squad, both Slot and Van Dijk emphasize that he remains central to Liverpool’s ambitions, both on the pitch and in the dressing room.

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Roy Keane Blasts ‘Frightened’ Manchester United After West Ham Draw

Roy Keane reacting angrily during a football analysis session

Manchester United thought they had the job wrapped up at Old Trafford… until they didn’t.

Diogo Dalot’s tidy finish just before the hour mark looked like the moment that would push the Red Devils to a much-needed victory. But in classic 2025 Manchester United fashion, control slipped, intensity dipped, and West Ham pounced.

And of course—when things go wrong—Roy Keane is never far from the verbal action.

“They Weren’t Nasty Enough!” – Keane Fires Shots

After the 1-1 draw, Keane wasted zero time calling out what he sees as the real issue at United: timidity.

According to him, United “took their foot off the gas” right after scoring. Against a team in the bottom three, he expected more authority, more aggression, and definitely more hunger.

Instead, what he saw was a team “almost frightened” of finishing the job.

He slammed the players for hiding when pressure kicked in, criticized their lack of killer instinct, and even called out the relaxed body language during substitutions.

In typical Keane fashion, the message was simple:
United should never be this soft.

Amorim Also Frustrated: “The Game Was Ours To Win”

Manager Ruben Amorim didn’t sugarcoat anything either.

While he didn’t go full-Keane, he admitted:

United lost control after scoring
They failed to win second balls
They should have killed the match earlier
The inconsistency is becoming a real problem

For a team chasing European places, three draws in five games simply isn’t good enough.

West Ham Deserved Their Point

To be fair, West Ham didn’t just sit back and wait. They fought, pressed, countered, and eventually got their reward when Soungoutou Magassa slotted home the 83rd-minute equaliser.

United had late chances, but the story of their season resurfaced again:
moments created, moments wasted.

Where Do United Go From Here?

Sitting eighth on the table, United’s inconsistency continues to be their biggest opponent. Keane believes the team lacks bite. Amorim believes the team lacks control.

Fans believe the team lacks… well, everything except drama.

What’s clear is this: until United find their identity and intensity, nights like this will keep happening.