From soccer to Formula 1, Forbes has unveiled its latest ranking of the world’s highest paid athletes.
No Nigerian athlete is on the list.
The list features stars from six different sports, with every athlete earning more than $100 million annually for the second consecutive year.
Meanwhile, Lionel Messi, who ranks third behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Canelo Álvarez, has officially entered the billionaire club in terms of net worth.
Combined, the 10 athletes generated $1.4149 billion before taxes and agent fees over the last 12 months. That figure represents a modest 2.8% year over year increase compared to 2025, when earnings jumped by 24% from the previous year.
Ronaldo tops the ranking once again. The Portuguese superstar remains the highest paid soccer player in the world with annual earnings of $300 million.
Of that total, $235 million comes from his salary at Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr, while the remaining $65 million is generated through sponsorships and image rights deals.
Boxing claims second place on the list through Mexican icon Canelo Álvarez.
The fighter, who is set to release a Netflix documentary following his agreement with Box to Box Films, earned $160 million from his performances inside the ring and another $10 million off it, reaching a total of $170 million, still far behind Ronaldo’s figures.
Messi completes the podium. According to Forbes estimates, the Argentine star earns $140 million annually.
Among soccer players, Messi stands out for the enormous weight of his off field business income. His yearly earnings are split evenly between his Inter Miami salary and commercial ventures.
MLS salary cap rules do not include outside sponsorship revenue, which helps explain the gap compared to Ronaldo’s income.
Messi, who also became an owner of UE Cornellà, has now surpassed the $1 billion mark in total net worth for the first time.
LeBron James ranks fourth as the first basketball player on the list.
At 41 years old, he remains the highest paid player in basketball with earnings of $137 million, a figure almost identical to his 2025 total of $134 million.
The top five is completed by Shohei Ohtani. The Japanese baseball sensation is the highest paid athlete in his sport with $127.6 million in earnings.
In his case, commercial income accounts for an astonishing 98% of his total revenue, equivalent to $125 million.
Another basketballer Stephen Curry follows with $124.7 million, marking his second straight year inside the top ten.
Seventh place introduces another sport to the ranking: golf. Jon Rahm, who now faces uncertainty following the split between LIV Golf and Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, earned $107 million.
Footballer Karim Benzema with $104 million, basketballer Kevin Durant with $103.8 million, and Lewis Hamilton, the only Formula 1 driver to reach the $100 million mark annually, round out the list of the world’s 10 highest paid athletes.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Billionaires Messi and Ronaldo.
