In the fast-paced world of sports, the spotlight is not just on trophies and championships—it’s also on the staggering sums athletes earn from salaries, sponsorships, and brand deals. By 2025, the financial landscape of global sports has reached new heights, with athletes from football, basketball, tennis, boxing, and golf taking center stage in the wealth rankings.
From household names like Lionel Messi and LeBron James to emerging stars who have skyrocketed in value, the highest-paid athletes are not only dominating their respective fields but also becoming powerful global brands. Their income comes from two major sources: on-field performance (salaries, bonuses, winnings) and off-field ventures (endorsements, sponsorships, businesses, and investments).
This detailed ranking of the Top 10 Highest Paid Athletes in 2025 gives a deep dive into who tops the charts, how they earn, and why they remain icons beyond the sports world.
1. Lionel Messi – $135 Million
Lionel Messi continues to reign supreme as one of the most bankable athletes in the world. At 38, the Argentine maestro still attracts immense global attention, thanks to his performances with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS) and his legendary legacy in world football.
- Salary & Bonuses: Around $60 million from his MLS contract and performance-related bonuses.
- Endorsements: Deals with Adidas, Pepsi, and several luxury fashion houses.
- Business Ventures: Messi owns clothing lines, a growing hospitality business, and significant investments in real estate.
Lionel Messi celebrating a goal in an Inter Miami jersey, 2025.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo – $125 Million
Even in his forties, Cristiano Ronaldo remains a financial powerhouse. Playing in Saudi Arabia’s Pro League, Ronaldo not only receives astronomical wages but also leverages his global image as one of the most followed athletes on social media.
- Salary & Winnings: $70 million from his club contract.
- Sponsorships: Partnerships with Nike, Herbalife, and lifestyle brands.
- Business Interests: CR7 hotels, gyms, perfumes, and fashion lines keep his empire thriving.
Cristiano Ronaldo posing with a trophy in Saudi Arabia, 2025.
3. LeBron James – $120 Million
LeBron James continues to expand his dominance on and off the basketball court. The Los Angeles Lakers legend, now in his twilight NBA years, remains one of the most marketable athletes in the world.
- NBA Salary: $45 million in contracts and bonuses.
- Endorsements: Lifetime deal with Nike, along with partnerships with Beats by Dre, Coca-Cola, and NBA 2K.
- Business Ventures: Owner of SpringHill Entertainment and significant investments in sports franchises, including partial ownership stakes in soccer and baseball clubs.
LeBron James in action during a 2025 Lakers game.
4. Kylian Mbappé – $110 Million
Kylian Mbappé represents the future of football and the financial growth of the sport. Having secured a record-breaking contract with Real Madrid in 2024, the French superstar earns massive sums both on the field and through global sponsorships.
- Salary & Bonuses: $70 million annual wage at Real Madrid.
- Endorsements: Nike, Hublot, and major gaming companies.
- Brand Persona: Seen as the “face of the next generation,” appealing to both youth and elite markets.
Kylian Mbappé celebrating a goal at Santiago Bernabéu in 2025.
5. Canelo Álvarez – $100 Million
Boxing continues to be one of the most lucrative sports, and Canelo Álvarez sits at the top of the fight game. In 2025, Canelo remains the most bankable boxer thanks to massive pay-per-view fights and commercial partnerships.
- Fight Purses: Over $70 million from two blockbuster fights this year.
- Endorsements: Deals with Hennessy, DAZN, and sports apparel brands.
- Investments: Real estate and gym franchises across Mexico and the United States.
Canelo Álvarez raising his championship belts after a 2025 fight.
6. Stephen Curry – $95 Million
The Golden State Warriors’ talisman remains one of the most popular athletes in basketball. Known for revolutionizing the NBA with his three-point shooting, Curry is also among the richest players globally.
- Salary & Bonuses: Around $50 million from NBA contracts.
- Endorsements: Long-standing Under Armour deal, alongside Rakuten, Chase, and Infiniti.
- Business Interests: Curry owns a thriving media company and invests in tech startups.
Stephen Curry celebrating after scoring a three-pointer in 2025.
7. Roger Federer – $90 Million
Even though he retired from professional tennis in 2022, Roger Federer continues to earn huge sums through sponsorships and investments. Federer’s legacy, elegance, and global appeal have cemented him as a perennial presence on the highest-paid athlete lists.
- Endorsements: Deals with Rolex, Uniqlo, and Mercedes-Benz still bring in millions.
- Business Ventures: Stakeholder in On Running, a Swiss athletic shoe company experiencing rapid global growth.
- Global Icon: Federer’s clean brand image ensures long-term financial stability.
Roger Federer at a charity event in 2025.
8. Kevin Durant – $85 Million
Kevin Durant, now with the Phoenix Suns, remains a top earner in basketball. Beyond his on-court performance, Durant’s strategic investments and endorsements cement his position among the highest-paid athletes.
- Salary: $45 million in NBA contracts and performance bonuses.
- Sponsorships: Nike signature line, Coinbase, and Gatorade.
- Business Moves: His company, Thirty Five Ventures, invests heavily in media, sports, and tech companies.
Kevin Durant playing for the Phoenix Suns in 2025.
9. Novak Djokovic – $80 Million
The Serbian tennis star continues to dominate both on and off the court in 2025. With multiple Grand Slam wins, Djokovic earns significantly from prize money and high-profile endorsements.
- Prize Money: Around $15 million from tournament victories.
- Endorsements: Lacoste, Asics, Head, and luxury watches.
- Other Ventures: Djokovic invests in healthy lifestyle products, real estate, and sports academies. Novak Djokovic lifting the Wimbledon trophy in 2025.
10. Tiger Woods – $75 Million
Even though injuries have slowed his career, Tiger Woods remains one of the most financially successful athletes in the world. His brand power, business ventures, and golf-related endorsements ensure his place in the 2025 rankings.
- Endorsements: Nike Golf, Rolex, and Bridgestone.
- Business Interests: Tiger Woods Design, restaurants, and golf academies.
- Legacy Factor: Woods’ long-standing influence in golf keeps his earning potential high.
Tiger Woods teeing off at a major golf tournament in 2025.
Key Takeaways from the 2025 Rankings
The highest-paid athletes in 2025 reflect the evolving dynamics of sports and global marketing:
- Footballers dominate thanks to lucrative club contracts and massive sponsorship deals.
- Basketball players thrive due to the NBA’s global popularity and crossover into entertainment.
- Boxers and tennis players benefit from high prize money and endorsement-heavy careers.
- Legacy athletes like Federer and Woods show that global icons continue to cash in long after their prime.
Ultimately, these athletes are more than sports professionals—they are powerful brands shaping industries, inspiring millions, and redefining financial success in sports.
Conclusion
The world of sports in 2025 is not only about wins and records but also about the astronomical earnings athletes generate. The Top 10 Highest Paid Athletes in 2025 highlight how diverse the global sports economy has become, spanning football, basketball, boxing, tennis, and golf.
From Messi and Ronaldo continuing their football empires to younger stars like Mbappé taking over, these athletes showcase the power of performance, influence, and branding. Their journeys prove that in modern sports, success is measured both by trophies and by financial dominance
