Who are the top 10 highest-paid athletes in the world in 2026? Elite sport has become a multibillion-dollar entertainment industry, and its biggest stars are earning amounts that would have seemed impossible a generation ago. Forbes estimates that the world’s ten highest-paid athletes earned approximately $1.4 billion combined over the 12 months ending May 1, 2026.
At the top is Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese football superstar earned an estimated $300 million, making 2026 the fourth consecutive year he has led Forbes’ athlete earnings ranking. Forbes calculates earnings using salaries, prize money, bonuses, sponsorship income and business ventures before taxes and agent fees.
Top 10 Highest-Paid Athletes in 2026
- Cristiano Ronaldo — $300 million
- Canelo Álvarez — $170 million
- Lionel Messi — $140 million
- LeBron James — $137.8 million
- Juan Soto
- Stephen Curry
- Shohei Ohtani
- Karim Benzema
- Kylian Mbappé
- Jon Rahm
Forbes reports that every athlete in the top ten earned at least $100 million.
10. Jon Rahm
Sport: Golf
Jon Rahm has become one of golf’s biggest earners. The Spanish star’s move to LIV Golf dramatically altered his financial position, providing income far beyond traditional tournament prize money.
Professional golf has undergone a financial transformation as competition between tours has driven compensation higher. Rahm’s combination of tournament income, sponsorships and LIV-related earnings keeps him among the world’s ten best-paid athletes.
9. Kylian Mbappé
Sport: Football
Kylian Mbappé represents the next generation of global football superstardom. His move to Real Madrid strengthened his commercial profile while giving him one of the biggest platforms in club football.
Mbappé earns income from both football and endorsements with major international brands. At only 27 in 2026, he potentially has many peak earning years ahead.
Read Also: Top 10 Richest People in the World
8. Karim Benzema
Sport: Football
Karim Benzema’s move from Real Madrid to Saudi Arabia dramatically increased his football income. Saudi clubs have offered enormous contracts to attract global stars, helping reshape football’s financial landscape.
Benzema’s contract and commercial partnerships continue to place him among the world’s highest-paid athletes.
7. Shohei Ohtani
Sport: Baseball
Shohei Ohtani is unlike almost any athlete on this list. His contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers contains substantial deferred compensation, meaning his current salary does not fully reflect the value of his deal.
But commercially, Ohtani is extraordinary. Forbes estimated his off-field earnings at $125 million, the highest of any athlete in the world in its 2026 ranking.
His appeal extends across both North America and Japan, making him one of the most marketable athletes on earth.
6. Stephen Curry
Sport: Basketball
Stephen Curry transformed modern basketball with his three-point shooting. The Golden State Warriors star has also built an enormous business and endorsement portfolio.
His long relationship with Under Armour evolved into the Curry Brand, while additional partnerships and investments supplement his NBA salary. Curry demonstrates how modern athletes increasingly operate as businesses rather than simply players.
5. Juan Soto
Sport: Baseball
Juan Soto’s record-breaking contract made him one of the highest-paid athletes in global sport. The New York Mets signed Soto to a 15-year deal worth $765 million in late 2024.
The size of that agreement helped push baseball back into the very top tier of global athlete earnings.
4. LeBron James — $137.8 Million
Sport: Basketball
LeBron James is not simply an NBA superstar. He is a business empire. Forbes estimates James earned $137.8 million during its 2026 measurement period.
His income comes from his basketball salary plus endorsements and investments. Forbes estimates he has earned more than $500 million in pretax NBA salary during his career and more than $1 billion off the court.
He is also one of the very few athletes Forbes has officially classified as a billionaire.
3. Lionel Messi — $140 Million
Sport: Football
Lionel Messi earned approximately $140 million during the period measured by Forbes. His arrival at Inter Miami transformed Major League Soccer’s global visibility.
Messi also generates substantial commercial income through sponsorships and brand partnerships. His longevity is remarkable: even late in his playing career, he remains one of the world’s three highest-paid athletes.
2. Canelo Álvarez — $170 Million
Sport: Boxing
Mexican boxing superstar Canelo Álvarez earned an estimated $170 million. Boxing is unusual because elite fighters may compete only a few times each year yet earn enormous amounts per event. Canelo combines huge fight purses with endorsements and business ventures.
Forbes described his 2026 earnings as a career-best total.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo — $300 Million
Sport: Football
Cristiano Ronaldo remains the highest-paid athlete in the world. Forbes estimates he earned $300 million over the 12 months measured for its 2026 list. Ronaldo’s contract with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr accounts for much of the total. But his commercial power is equally extraordinary.
His global audience across social media makes him one of the most marketable people—not merely athletes—on the planet.
2026 marks:
- His fourth consecutive year at No. 1
- His sixth time leading Forbes’ ranking
- The tenth anniversary of his first appearance at No. 1
Athletes Make More Off the Field Than Ever
The ten highest-paid athletes earned approximately:
$902 million on the field and $513 million off the field.
That off-field money comes from:
- Sponsorships
- Licensing
- Appearance fees
- Businesses
- Investments
Forbes says the $513 million off-field figure edged the previous record set in 2021.
Football Still Produces Mega-Earners
Football has several representatives near the top:
- Cristiano Ronaldo
- Lionel Messi
- Karim Benzema
- Kylian Mbappé
The extraordinary salaries offered by Saudi clubs have been a major factor in changing global sports earnings.
Athlete Income Is Not the Same as Net Worth
This distinction is important for TopMost10 readers.
If Ronaldo earns $300 million during a year, that does not mean his net worth increased by $300 million.
Athletes pay:
- Taxes
- Agent fees
- Staff
- Business costs
- Personal expenses
Net-worth estimates additionally require valuing investments, property, companies and liabilities.
That is why using Forbes’ verified annual earnings ranking is more reliable than claiming exact net worths for athletes whose finances are private.
Which Athletes Are Confirmed Billionaires?
Forbes has identified a very small group of athletes who became billionaires, including:
- Michael Jordan
- LeBron James
- Tiger Woods
- Magic Johnson
Michael Jordan’s current Forbes estimate is approximately $4.3 billion, while Magic Johnson is estimated around $1.6 billion and Tiger Woods around $1.5 billion.
Final Thoughts
The economics of professional sport have changed dramatically. Ten years ago, Cristiano Ronaldo topped Forbes’ athlete ranking with $88 million. In 2026, his estimated income is $300 million. And all ten athletes at the top now earn nine figures annually. Sports stars are no longer simply paid for what happens on the field.
They are global brands, investors and entrepreneurs. For now, however, one athlete sits clearly above the rest:
Cristiano Ronaldo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the highest-paid athlete in the world in 2026?
Cristiano Ronaldo, with estimated earnings of $300 million.
Who is the highest-paid basketball player?
LeBron James is among the highest-ranked basketball players, earning approximately $137.8 million in Forbes’ 2026 measurement period.
Who makes the most money from endorsements and businesses?
Shohei Ohtani led Forbes’ 2026 off-field ranking with an estimated $125 million.
Who is the richest athlete by verified Forbes net worth?
Michael Jordan is currently one of the wealthiest athletes Forbes tracks, with an estimated $4.3 billion.