Revealed: The Highest Paid Athlete in the World

By Lisa Spencer Senior Editor Updated: 18 January 2023

Lisa Spencer Senior Editor

As a Senior Editor at Betting.US, Lisa Spencer is a valuable member of our expert team. With a Master’s degree in Applied Mathematics, Lisa is adept in gambling theory and analyzing odds. She contributes by writing online sportsbook reviews and finding competitive markets to help our readers make an informed choice.

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The Highest Paid Athlete in the World

• Who is The Highest Paid Athlete in The World?
• Messi – the World’s Best?
• LeBron James; Cementing his Legacy
• Ronaldo – the Portuguese God
• Neymar – Brazilian Sensation
• Stephen Curry – an Unusual Inclusion?
• Kevin Durant
• Frequently Asked Questions

Sports is a multi-billion-dollar industry, and for many top athletes, the financial rewards for their hard work and talent can be significant. In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the richest athletes in the world, examining their sources of income and the factors that have contributed to their financial success.

Of course, you’ll see some household names appearing – including Ronaldo and Messi – but there’s also a couple of names you may be surprised to see, including Kevin Durant.

The Richest Athletes in The World

From globally renowned soccer stars to record-breaking basketball players, these athletes have made a name for themselves both on and off the field. Understanding the financial success of these top athletes can provide valuable insights into the inner workings of the sports industry and the factors that drive earning potential.

Lionel Messi – The World’s Most Paid Athlete

Lionel Messi is a professional soccer player widely regarded as one of the best ever. Throughout his career, he has received various honors and trophies and is recognized for his exceptional talent and scoring ability on the field. Messi is one of the highest-paid athletes in the world in terms of income.

According to Forbes, Messi made $126 million in 2021, with $92 million coming from sponsorships and the rest from salary and incentives. Messi’s income exceeds that of the ordinary soccer player, and he is among the highest-paid sportsmen in any sport.

Messi’s performance on the field is one of the aspects that has led to his high wage. He has constantly played at a high level for both his club teams and the Argentine national team, contributing to countless triumphs. This achievement has served to raise his profile and appeal, which has boosted his earning potential.

Take a look at some of Messi’s achievements below:

Messi earns a lot of money through endorsements in addition to his pay. He has endorsement partnerships with several big companies, including Adidas, Gatorade, and MasterCard. These sponsorships offer him more revenue, which helps to increase his overall profits.

LeBron James

LeBron James is one of the world’s most recognizable names in sport, and this acclaimed basketball player is, by many, regarded as the best that’s ever lived. Throughout his lengthy career, LeBron has won tons of different awards, and he’s particularly well-known for his ability to score in tight situations; his passing and all-around play on the court are also exceptional – and his salary matches his talent.

According to a Forbes article from 2021, LeBron James is one of the highest paid athletes by sport, earning a giant $96 million in 2021 alone. According to the Forbes team, $44 million of his salary came from endorsements; the rest came from his actual salary.

One of the factors that has contributed to James’ high salary is his success on the court. He has consistently performed at a high level for his various teams, including Cleveland, Miami, and the Lakers, and has helped lead his teams to numerous victories, including four NBA championships. This success has helped to increase his profile and popularity, which in turn has helped to drive his earning potential.

At the time of writing, James holds partnerships with a number of high-profile companies, including Nike, Coca-Cola, and Beats by Dre. While some have criticized the amount of money James earns, basketball fans see it as a worthwhile investment – and one that honors what many proclaim to be the greatest basketball player of all time.

Ronaldo

When it comes to naming the richest athletes in the world, Ronaldo is always up there – and for good reason. This world-renowned soccer player is one of the richest sportsmen on the planet, and his earnings in 2021 amounted to a whopping $105 million. Interestingly, around $75 million of this came from endorsements – making his actual salary far lower than these endorsements.

Ronaldo currently has endorsements with several major brands including Tag Heuer, Herbalife, and Nike.

One of the factors that has contributed to Ronaldo’s high salary is his success on the field. He has consistently performed at a high level for both his club teams and the Portuguese national team and has helped lead his teams to numerous victories. This success has helped to increase his profile and popularity, which in turn has helped to drive his earning potential.

Neymar

Neymar Jr. is a professional soccer player who currently plays for Paris Saint-Germain and the Brazilian national team. He is considered one of the best soccer players in the world and has won numerous accolades and awards throughout his career.

Neymar was born in São Paulo, Brazil, and began his soccer career at a young age. He joined the youth academy at Santos FC and quickly rose through the ranks, making his professional debut for the team at the age of 17. He played for Santos for four seasons, scoring a total of 136 goals in 229 appearances.

In 2013, Neymar transferred to Barcelona, where he played for four seasons and helped lead the team to numerous victories, including the Champions League title. In 2017, Neymar transferred to Paris Saint-Germain for a world record transfer fee of €222 million.

In terms of salary, Neymar is one of the highest paid athletes in the world. According to Forbes, in 2021, Neymar earned a total of $95 million, with $75 million coming from endorsements and the remainder coming from his salary and bonuses. Neymar’s salary is significantly higher than that of the average soccer player, and he is among the highest paid athletes in any sport.

He has endorsement deals with several major brands, including Nike, Red Bull, and Gillette. He’s a recognizable face, and while he’s not the world’s most paid athlete, he comes pretty close to the top of the list!

Stephen Curry

Stephen Curry is a professional basketball player who currently plays for the Golden State Warriors. He is a three-time NBA champion and is widely regarded as one of the best shooters in the history of the league.

Curry was born in Akron, Ohio and grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina. He played college basketball at Davidson College, where he gained national attention for his scoring ability and led the team to the NCAA tournament.

In 2009, Curry was selected by the Golden State Warriors with the seventh overall pick in the NBA draft. He has played for the Warriors his entire career and has helped lead the team to six NBA Finals appearances, including three championships.

In terms of salary, Curry is one of the highest paid athletes in the world. According to Forbes, in 2021, Curry earned a total of $74 million, with $45 million coming from endorsements and the remainder coming from his salary and bonuses. He has endorsement deals with a number of major brands, including Under Armour, Vivo, and Brita.

As one of the highest paid sports names, Curry has built a legacy for himself and there’s still plenty of time for him to win more accolades.

Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant is a professional basketball player who currently plays for the Brooklyn Nets. He is a two-time NBA champion and has been named the NBA Finals MVP on both occasions. He’s a well-known name in the US, and basketball fans – regardless of the team they support – tend to rally behind him, as they see him as being fantastic for the game as a whole.

Durant was born in Washington, D.C. and played college basketball at the University of Texas. In 2007, he was selected by the Seattle SuperSonics with the second overall pick in the NBA draft.

He played for the SuperSonics (later renamed the Oklahoma City Thunder) for nine seasons, helping lead the team to the NBA Finals in 2012. In 2016, Durant signed with the Golden State Warriors, where he played for three seasons and won two NBA championships. In 2019, Durant signed with the Brooklyn Nets.

In 2021, Durant earned a total of $75 million, with $57 million coming from endorsements and the remainder coming from his salary and bonuses. Durant’s salary is significantly higher than that of the average basketball player, and he is among the highest paid athletes in any sport. He’s partnered with several global brands, including Google, Alaska Airlines, and Nike.