Cristiano Ronaldo has once again emerged as the world’s highest paid athlete, widening the earnings gap between himself and long time rival Lionel Messi, according to the latest Sportico rankings.
The Portuguese star topped the list for a third consecutive year, driven by a lucrative Saudi Pro League contract and massive commercial income.
Ronaldo earned an estimated 200 million dollars from football in the past year, with an additional 60 million dollars coming from endorsements and business ventures.
His global appeal continues to grow, helped by a social media following that now exceeds one billion across platforms, making him one of the most marketable athletes in history.
Lionel Messi placed third on the list, earning around 130 million dollars in 2025.
The Argentine forward remains a commercial powerhouse through major brand partnerships and his renewed contract with Inter Miami, but his total earnings remain significantly lower than Ronaldo’s.
Between the two football icons sits Mexican boxing star Canelo Alvarez, boosted by a major promotional deal.
Meanwhile, Brazilian forward Neymar dropped sharply to 30th on the list after returning to Santos, following the termination of his Saudi deal.
His income reportedly fell by nearly 50 million dollars year on year.
Overall, the top 100 athletes earned a combined 6.05 billion dollars, slightly lower than last year.
Basketball stars dominated the list, while football maintained a strong presence with several players ranked inside the top 20.
