World’s highest-paid athletes in 2026: Cristiano Ronaldo tops the list with $300 million with Messi and LeBron James following

For years, the debate around the world’s highest-paid athletes has usually centred on trophies, records, and championship rings. This time, though, the money itself is telling a different story.

The latest earnings rankings for 2026 are packed with familiar football icons, NBA legends, boxing stars, and Formula 1 champions, yet the scale of their income now stretches far beyond sport alone.Some are earning more from sponsorships than salaries. Others are building business empires while still competing at the highest level. A few, surprisingly, are closer to retirement than the beginning of their careers.

Forbes lists 2026’s highest-paid athletes and their billion-dollar endorsements.

World’s 10 highest-paid athletes in 2026

Source: Forbes

Highest-paid athletes in the world

Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo once again leads the list of the world’s highest-paid athletes, and the gap between him and the rest of the field remains enormous. The Portuguese forward reportedly earned around $300 million across the last 12 months, helped heavily by his contract with Al-Nassr. What stands out is that Ronaldo’s commercial appeal appears almost untouched by age.

At 41, he still attracts global sponsors, social media engagement and licensing deals at a scale few athletes have ever managed.

His recent investment in Spanish football club UD Almería also hints at a growing interest in ownership and long-term business projects beyond playing.

Canelo Álvarez

Canelo Álvarez remains boxing’s biggest financial draw. The Mexican star reportedly brought in about $170 million, fuelled by major Saudi-backed fight agreements and blockbuster global audiences.

Even after a difficult result against Terence Crawford, Álvarez’s commercial strength barely slowed. His fights continue attracting enormous streaming numbers, while his growing business portfolio;including fuel stations, convenience stores and beverage brands ; has expanded well beyond boxing.

Lionel Messi

For Lionel Messi, the move to Inter Miami CF continues paying off both financially and commercially. His estimated earnings reportedly reached $140 million this year.

Messi’s influence inside Major League Soccer appears difficult to measure fully. Ticket prices, television attention and sponsorship activity around Inter Miami all surged after his arrival. Off the pitch, endorsement agreements with global brands remain one of the strongest parts of his income.

LeBron James

LeBron James may be nearing the final stretch of his NBA career, but his business empire keeps expanding. The Los Angeles Lakers star reportedly earned nearly $138 million over the past year, making him in the list of highest-paid athletes in the world.

Much of that comes away from basketball itself. James has investments across media, sport and technology, while his partnerships with luxury and lifestyle brands remain highly valuable.

Retirement speculation continues surrounding the 41-year-old, though financially he appears stronger than ever.

Shohei Ohtani

Shohei Ohtani might have the most unusual earnings profile on the list. Although his contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers is massive, much of the money is deferred into future years.

Japanese and international brands continue competing for partnerships with Ohtani, whose popularity stretches far beyond baseball audiences. Experts suggest he may now be one of the most commercially valuable athletes in Asia.

Stephen Curry

Stephen Curry remains one of basketball’s biggest commercial stars even as his long relationship with Under Armour recently ended. The Golden State Warriors guard reportedly earned around $124.7 million this year through salary, endorsements, and entertainment projects.

Curry has also expanded into publishing and film production, showing how modern athletes increasingly build media careers alongside professional sport.

Jon Rahm

Spanish golfer Jon Rahm continues benefiting from LIV Golf’s huge financial backing. His estimated earnings reportedly crossed $107 million despite ongoing uncertainty around the future of the Saudi-backed league. Rahm still maintains endorsement deals with luxury and sporting brands, although discussion around LIV Golf’s stability has become louder in recent months.

Even so, the financial rewards remain difficult for elite golfers to ignore.

Karim Benzema

Karim Benzema remains among football’s highest earners after his move to Saudi Arabia. The former Real Madrid CF striker reportedly earned around $104 million. His transfer from Al-Ittihad to Al-Hilal earlier in the year generated fresh headlines, particularly after disputes surrounding his previous contract situation. Commercially, Benzema still benefits from partnerships with sportswear and fragrance companies.

Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant has quietly become one of sport’s biggest investor-athletes. The NBA forward reportedly crossed the billion-dollar career earnings mark while still actively playing. Now with the Houston Rockets, Durant continues balancing basketball with media production, venture investing and sponsorships. His business interests appear almost as wide-ranging as his basketball career itself.

Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton closes out the top ten after reportedly earning around $100 million. Although his first season with Scuderia Ferrari did not deliver a championship challenge, his commercial appeal remains enormous. Hamilton’s partnerships in fashion, luxury goods and entertainment continue setting him apart from most Formula 1 drivers. He has also become increasingly involved in film production and lifestyle businesses, reflecting how elite athletes now often operate far beyond their sport alone.