Ronaldo and Messi Among Top Five Highest-Paid Athletes of All Time
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have once again made headlines — not for their on-field exploits this time, but for their staggering career earnings. According to the latest list released by Sportico, the two global football icons have secured spots in the top five highest-paid athletes of all time.
Ronaldo, currently plying his trade at Al-Nassr FC in Saudi Arabia, ranks third overall with total career earnings amounting to a jaw-dropping $1.83 billion. His long-standing dominance in European football, coupled with mega sponsorships and commercial deals, has kept him firmly in the financial elite of global sport.
Messi, now dazzling fans in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami, follows closely in fifth place. The Argentine legend has amassed $1.49 billion throughout his career, thanks to a mix of record-breaking contracts at FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, endorsement deals with top global brands, and his current MLS venture.
Topping the list is NBA legend Michael Jordan, whose earnings soar to an unmatched $4.15 billion, largely due to his enduring partnership with Nike and lucrative business ventures. Golf great Tiger Woods sits second with $2.79 billion, while Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, still active in the NBA, ranks fourth with $1.88 billion.
The list, which factors in salary and sponsorship income but excludes investments, also features David Beckham at number eight. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder would likely rank higher if the valuation of Inter Miami — where he holds significant ownership — was included. The MLS club is currently valued at $1.19 billion.
Interestingly, despite football’s global popularity, only four soccer players made the top 50, with basketball leading the way with 13 entries. This highlights how the commercial and marketing muscle behind American sports continues to outpace football in some key financial metrics.
Both Messi and Ronaldo are expected to remain in the upper financial echelons of sport for the foreseeable future. Messi is reportedly closing in on a one-year contract extension with Inter Miami, while Ronaldo may be eyeing a new deal with Al-Nassr as he continues to headline in the Saudi Pro League.
With their careers still going strong and brand power that transcends the pitch, the iconic duo shows no signs of slowing down — either in performance or in pay.
